By Rick Vach, USTA Florida Marketing & Communications Coordinator

The USTA Florida Section Foundation, the grant-giving arm of USTA Florida, has teamed with Victory Sports Management for a series of six Run to Rally Community 5k races, and Naples will be the first stop on Feb. 2, 2019.

Each stop will also feature a “Club Challenge” where tennis facilities entering at least 10 race participants can compete for 1st-3rd place prizes: 10 cases of tennis balls to the 1st place finisher, six cases to 2nd place, and 3 cases for 3rd place. Clubs will also receive one case of balls for every 20 race participants registered through their club or facility.

Individuals, families or entire organizations can sign-up to walk/run and fundraise for grassroots tennis in Florida. You can be part of the mission of changing lives through tennis in your community for your family, friends and neighbors. Support the USTA Florida Section Foundation and the approximately $1,300,000 distributed in grants since 2010 to support schools, public parks, adaptive programs connected to organizations such as Special Olympics Florida, Buddy Up, ACEing Autism and Love Serving Autism, and many more.

“Our family-friendly 5K run will take place at North Collier Regional Park in Naples on Feb. 2,” says USTA Florida Section Foundation Executive Director Alexis Johnson. “The race will begin at 8 a.m., and we will announce race packet pick-up time and location as the event draws near. Walkers and runners of all ages and abilities are welcome — it’s a great event for the entire family.”

Additional races in 2019 will be held in Ft. Lauderdale (March 9), Orlando (April 13), Jacksonville (Oct. 5), Tampa (Nov. 2), and Miami (Dec. 7).

To register for the Naples race or for more Run to Rally Community 5k series information go to www.victorysportsmgt.com/event/ustanaples.