4Ever Fitness Run/Walk Benefits Wounded Warrior and Jesus Clinic

A Port Orange gym owner is sponsoring the first 4Ever Fitness 5K Run/Walk and Kids Fun Run this weekend on Saturday, March 10.

The race will benefit the national Wounded Warrior Project, and closer to home, the Jesus Clinic, says Michael Turcotte, 4Ever Fitness owner. And if you’re feeling creative, keep in mind there will be awards for the most unique and patriotic outfits.

A lifelong Port Orange resident, Turcotte says he has been in business at his location for 12 years, and wanted to start giving back to the community.

One of the beneficiaries of the race is the Wounded Warrior Project, a cause close to Turcotte’s heart. “Quite a few people in my family have been affected with PTSD or are currently serving,” Turcotte says. His father, grandfathers, uncle, brother, and brother-in-law have all served or are currently active in various branches of the military.

On Saturday, several participants will be running with their dogs, and two local canine advocacy groups who help veterans and service animals will be on hand with information. Daytona Obedience is a group that advocates for dogs that served in the military in roles such as bomb-sniffing.

“At the end of their service, these dogs who have served in some dangerous situations are treated like government property, which means they don’t always get the best treatment,” Turcotte says. Daytona Obedience recently helped some dogs who were going to be shipped from the Middle East to the U.S. as cargo; instead, they advocated to get these dogs good transportation to receive care in the states. Roger and Sharon Lowe of K9 Line, a service dog company that helps veterans get paired with a K9 service dog, will be present on race day as well.

The Jesus Clinic will also benefit from the race, Turcotte says. “This is a great organization here in Port Orange that not many people know about,” he says. All of the staff at the Jesus Clinic, including doctors and nurses, are volunteers who provide health care for low-income folks who could not otherwise afford care. Turcotte’s mother and other family members volunteer regularly at the facility. 

The run will begin at 8:30 a.m. at 4Ever Fitness, 4639 Clyde Morris Blvd., in Port Orange. The course will run down Herbert Street, wind through the Port Orange City Center, exit at Clyde Morris Blvd., and finish back at the Tomoka Brewing Company.

While online registration has closed, you can still join the race on Saturday morning. The fee is $30 on race day, $20 with military ID. Fees are cash only on race day (please bring the exact amount). Pre-registration and packet pickup begins at 7 a.m. A fun run for kids will start between 9:15 and 9:30 a.m., pending 5K finishers. All runners will receive a t-shirt, water, food, and a goodie bag filled with race-related schwag.

For full race details visit https://runsignup.com/Race/FindARunner/?raceId=55043 or 4everfitness.net.