“Dirty” 5K Race Raises a Clean $10K for Savannah Charities

SAVANNAH, Ga. - April 16, 2014 - PRLog -- (SAVANNAH, GA) The Big Nasty Mud Run (BNMR) x5, bringing over 1,200 competitors from as far away as Connecticut, raised $10,000 for local charities. The 4.7 mile obstacle mud run, held at the Bloomingdale Big Nasty ATV Park on April 5, was the most recent race from Endurance Race Services Savannah, an organization that coordinates many fundraising races for local charities.

A total of $10,000 was donated to charities to invest in youth programs, including: Local ROTC, which provides training and scholarships to high school and college students preparing for careers in the military; The Grid Iron Group, supporting Richmond Hill High School football; Performance Initiatives, to serve inner-city kids; The Fellowship of Christian Athletes for National Ministry Outreach; Guardians of the Pink Ribbon – Savannah Chapter, part of a national organization of fire fighters and other volunteers whose mission is to raise awareness about breast cancer; and Savannah Christian Church Missions.

“It was a great time!” said participant Sarah Dodge. Dodge, whose husband is with the 3rd 160th Night Stalkers at Hunter Army Air Field, said she and a friend, also an Army wife, participated together. “I made every obstacle but one,” said Dodge, who had just given birth to her first child in late October of last year. “I was surprised at how strong I still am,” she said. “I want to do it again next year.” Dodge and her comrade finished together, both covered in mud from head to toe. “I had to wash my hair three times and used 15 Q-Tips to clean out my ears,” said Dodge.

“We think the BNMR is best done in teams,” said co-founder of Endurance Race Services, Dan Pavlin. “It is why we encourage everyone to register in one of our team waves. But when you do, you must run and finish with your team mate.” Pavlin is a Vice President of Commercial Lines at Bernard Williams & Company in Savannah, an active and ongoing sponsor of Endurance Race Services.

Pavlin said he enjoys helping charities through Race Management. "Racing gives me the opportunity to serve the community, raise money for local charities, build relationship through fitness, and it is a lot of fun managing that kind of chaos,” Pavlin said.

Registration for the Big Nasty Mud Run x6 will soon be available at http://www.savannahraces.com, as are many other charitable race events. Endurance Race Services Savannah also accepts applications from local charities for new fundraising race events on its website.

ABOUT ENDURANCE RACE SERVICES SAVANNAH
ERS Savannah was formed in 2013 by Steve White, a Former National Ministry Coordinator with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Team Endurance, and Dan Pavlin, VP of Commercial Lines at Bernard Williams & Company. ERS has served nearly 20 different charities, hosting a dozen races and managing more, including mud runs, kid’s runs, 5k to half marathons. The organization has coordinated a wide variety of charitable race events and is always looking for new and exciting ideas. In 2008 ERS Savannah hosted the first 5k Series, which drew about 150 participants. This year’s Big Nasty Mud Run drew over 1,200 runners.

ABOUT BERNARD WILLIAMS & COMPANY INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES
Founded in 1934 by Bernard F. Williams, Bernard Williams & Company Insurance and Financial Services is a leading provider of insurance-related products and services in Georgia and throughout the Southeast. Today Bernard Williams & Company serves the insurance and risk management needs of more than 4,000 businesses and families utilizing state-of-the-art technology for efficient customer service and accurate information management. Bernard Williams’ primary objective is to establish a partnership between clients, the insurance providers and the agency, providing coverage, loss control services and claim services that are comprehensive, efficient and mutually beneficial. For more information on Bernard Williams & Company Insurance and Financial Services, please call 912-234-4476 or visit http://www.thepoweroftheshield.com.