In late 2014, the nation was captivated by Lauren Hill, the 19-year-old basketball player at Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati who bravely battled — but ultimately was taken — by a rare form of brain cancer.
To honor her memory and to raise money for cancer research and care, Newport’s Italianfest will hold the inaugural Lauren Hill’s 5K Spaghetti Run at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 11.
Italianfest, one of the most popular summer festivals in the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati region, will celebrate its 25th Anniversary on June 9 through June 12. The event takes place at Festival Park, located at Riverboat Row on Newport’s riverfront near Newport on the Levee.
“Italianfest is always a great time with tremendous food, drink, music, rides, and more,” said Sal Wertheim, special events coordinator for the City of Newport. “At the heart of the festival is Newport’s great Italian heritage. The Italians who came here, raised their families here, and still live here and in the region are all about family and helping one another, particularly through the tough times.”
The Spaghetti Run will benefit Hill’s The Cure Starts Now Foundation, which is dedicated to raising funds for pediatric brain cancer research and care.
“The City of Newport and the organizers of Italianfest felt Lauren Hill’s 5K Spaghetti Run was not only a tremendous opportunity to raise money for cancer research but to also honor the courage, memory, and legacy of Lauren Hill,” Wertheim said. “Help put ‘a fork in cancer’ and register for the run today.”
The 5K race will start and finish Riverboat Row and Columbia Street. Pre-registration is $40 and includes a t-shirt and $10 in Italianfest Pasta bucks, which can be spent at Italianfest vendor booths during the festival. Registration is $50 after June 9.
To register for Lauren Hill’s 5K Spaghetti Run, click here .
City of Newport