The fourth annual WhiteHot 5K will take place on Saturday,
April 18, in honor of the late Kent State University alumna
Ashley White, ‘09, who was killed in action while serving
in Afghanistan in October 2011.

Kent State University’s Department of Military Sciences will host the fourth annual WhiteHot 5K on Saturday, April 18, in honor of the late Kent State alumna Ashley White, ‘09.

Participants will run to remember 1st Lt. White, who was killed in action while serving in Afghanistan in October 2011. She served as one of the first members of the U.S. Army’s Cultural Support Team, a program that trains female soldiers to work with Afghan women and children when it is culturally inappropriate for a male service member to interact with them.

“This race is a reminder that amazing people, including amazing women, gave their lives for this country. Specifically, a young lady with hopes and aspirations not much different from ours, felt compelled to raise her hand and volunteer to serve,” says Joe Paydock, Kent State’s ROTC Training Officer. “I want the public to recognize that lives were given for their freedom, and I hope they pause to consider that.”

The race celebrates White’s life and service and will begin at 8 a.m. at Terrace Hall.

Registration is $25 and participants can sign up online at http://rsracingsystems.com. Proceeds from this race go to the Ashley White Memorial Scholarship Fund, which is awarded annually to an outstanding ROTC Cadet at Kent State.

This race is the first of five races in the Freedom Run Series, which includes races throughout the Northern Ohio area.

If you have questions, call 330-672-8211 or visit the WhiteHot 5k Facebook page.