5th Annual Ben Byrns 5k Runway Rally to be held October 22

Media Release

Mary Pitcher

May 12, 2016 3:00 p.m.

The photo shows from left to right: Laurie Byrns of the Ben Byrns Foundation; Susan Woodford, Executive Director of NACDAC; and Ken Byrns of the Ben Byrns Foundation; presenting a check for $24,000 to NACDAC to support NACDAC's efforts to eliminate drug, tobacco and alcohol use among local youth.

Ben Byrns was a Fernandina Beach resident whose young life was cut short due to an accidental overdose of prescription pain medication. The Ben Byrns Runway Rally was organized in 2012 by family and friends in memory of Ben, a college student who loved the outdoors, surfing, running, sports, and who was studying to become a pilot like his father. By creating this unique race, held entirely on the taxiways and runways of the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport, the Ben Byrns Foundation wanted to unite the community, raise awareness about the dangers of prescription drug abuse, and raise funds to help prevent drug and alcohol abuse among our youth.

Forty-six people die each day from prescription painkiller overdoses in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nassau Alcohol Crime Drug Abatement Coalition’s (NACDAC) mission is to educate, communicate, and be a leader in community collaboration in an effort to eliminate drug, tobacco, and alcohol use among our youth/young adults while at the same time reducing criminal behavior associated with substance abuse. NACDAC works to make a difference in the Nassau County Schools daily by providing services such as “Life Skills” training, parenting groups, bullying prevention, support for the Teens For Change Clubs at the middle and high schools, “Know The Law” classes in partnership with the NCSD and FBPD, and provides five substance abuse prevention specialists in the schools.

In recent years, NACDAC has been the recipient of the proceeds from the Ben Byrns 5K Runway Rally. The alignment of goals and commitment to educate and guide our local youth to make good choices in their lives has resulted in a unification of efforts of the Ben Byrns Foundation and NACDAC in the presentation of the 5th Annual Ben Byrns 5K Runway Rally to be held at the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport on October 22, 2016.

NACDAC has heartily assumed the duty of coordinating and continuing this event to further the mission and goals of both organizations for the benefit of our Nassau County youth in future years. Businesses, families, and individuals who want to show support by becoming a sponsor or registering to participate in the race can visit www.nacdac.org/bb5k/ for more information and to download sponsor and registration forms.

The 5K Race will begin at 9 a.m. and will be followed by a one-mile fun run for kids. Race registration can be done online at www.Active.com or download the registration form at www.nacdac.org/bb5k/ and mail it to NACDAC, 516 South 10th Street, #211, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034. Winners in the male and female categories for best overall and masters (age 40+) will receive an aerial tour of Amelia Island sponsored by McGill Aviation. There will also be a Nassau County School Challenge, and the Nassau County School with the most participants will earn a cash prize!