Zombies, witches and monsters galore will follow mortals down the trails of Alderman’s Ford Park Saturday, Oct. 31, in support of two local causes.
The first FRANkenstein 5K Fun Run & WOD-O-Ween will be hosted by CrossFit Plant City on Halloween morning. The event, named after a common CrossFit workout, will include a 5K and a 1-mile dash that can be completed by individuals at any fitness level. CrossFit Plant City owners Mike and Lauren Bearden also will be demonstrating basic CrossFit exercises and workouts at the event for no additional cost.
The couple opened the Plant City gym, off of Airport Road, almost two years ago.
“It’s a 5K, but we want to bring in some CrossFit elements,” Lauren Bearden said. “It’s our very first year, first event. We wanted to provide an un-intimidating way to introduce people to CrossFit.”
Proceeds from the event will go toward two local causes, one of which is near and dear to the heart of CrossFit Plant City: raising money for the family of Jean Croslin.
Croslin was diagnosed with stage four cancer in August. Her daughter, Tammy Piergallini, has been a member of CrossFit Plant City for about a year. The gym decided to make the family a beneficiary of the upcoming 5K.
“She was totally fine, living her life. One day she had trouble breathing,” Lauren Bearden said. “Just seeing how heartbroken they were … we wanted to rally around her and support her.“
After being diagnosed, Croslin died Sept. 25. The cancer was initially found in her lungs, but spread through the rest of her body.
“It was all really quick,” Lauren Bearden said. “(Jean) was just very down to earth, very sweet. She was just really appreciative about help and support.”
The Beardens hoped that Croslin would be with them for the event, but they will still be donating proceeds to her family. With the continued support of the gym, Piergallini has promoted the event in the Plant City community.
“Tammy has been invaluable in helping to get people to be sponsors and get people to sign up,” Lauren Bearden said. “She has been a huge, huge help.”
The 5K will also raise money for Apache Way Farms Rescue Inc., a nonprofit animal sanctuary based in the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World.
The sanctuary is owned and operated by Lori Matta, who is also the owner of Dance Carousel of Plant City.
“I was looking for a charity … I saw a post about Lori Matta,” Lauren Bearden said. “I was moved by it. She keeps these animals for life … it’s their forever home.”
In June, Matta was admitted to the hospital with stomach pains, later discovering that her appendix had burst and her abdomen was infected. Following the treatment, Matta was in a car accident that resulted in a neck injury.
Though she is now on the road to recovery, her rescue efforts are in need of financial support.
After hearing about Matta’s recent hardships, Lauren Bearden met Matta.
“We had a good rapport with each other,” Lauren Bearden said. “I just felt like that was the right thing to do.”
So far, the Beardens are expecting about 60 people to come to the event, but are hoping to get at least 40 more to sign up before Halloween. They want the 5K to become a continued event, supporting different charities each time.
“I really want to get more runners,” Lauren Bearden said. “I want this to be an annual, big party. I really want to make this something that Plant City can come to count on.”
After spending a year establishing their business and presence in Plant City, the Beardens hope to continue to give back to the city that they have come to call home.
“We really want to reach out to the community and be involved with the community as much as possible,” Lauren Bearden said.
An enrollment fee is required for both the 5K and the 1-mile dash, but anyone is welcome to attend the free CrossFit workouts.
The Beardens will be demonstrating the proper way to do kettlebell swings and squat-thrusts, complete with pumpkins as a weights. Vendors from Focus 4 Beauty and Hint of Garlic will also be at the event. Costumes, of course, are encouraged.
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.
IF YOU GO
FRANkenstein 5K & WOD-O-Ween
WHEN: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31
WHERE: Alderman’s Ford Park, 100 Alderman Ford Park Drive
WHAT: 5K, kid’s 1-mile dash, costume contest, vendors, music and more
COST: $25 for the 5K; $10 for the Monster Dash; free T-shirts while supplies last. An additional $5 will be charged for those who register at the event.
REGISTER: CrossFitPlantCity.com or Active.com.