Pictured from Left: Larry Roberts, JTC Running Board Member; Amiee Cords, JTC Running Treasurer; Doug Tillett, JTC Running President; April Jordan, Groundwork Jacksonville Development & Communications Coordinator; Janet Reagor, Groundwork Jacksonville COO; Dana Karzan, VyStar Credit Union Chief Development Officer; and Patricia McElroy, VyStar Credit Union Senior Vice President, Foundation President
Representatives from VyStar Credit Union joined Board members from JTC Running to present Groundwork Jacksonville with a commemorative check for $88,506 representing the proceeds from the 5th Annual VyStar Emerald Trail 5K-10K presented by JTC Running.
Last fall more than 800 runners and walkers experienced the Emerald Trail LaVilla Link, the first completed portion of the Emerald Trail which opened in May 2024. More than 100 VyStar employees participated in the Emerald Trail run/walk while a dozen more served as volunteers.
”VyStar Credit Union is proud to support Groundwork Jacksonville and its important work in connecting and revitalizing Jacksonville’s urban core neighborhoods,” said VyStar Chief Marketing Officer, Dana Karzan. “We are committed to making a positive difference in the communities where we live, work and play and our support of Groundwork Jacksonville and the Emerald Trail underscores that promise.”
JTC Running covers all race expenses so that 100% of proceeds from the event benefit Groundwork Jacksonville, the city’s nonprofit partner in building the 30-mile Emerald Trail and restoring McCoys and Hogans creeks.
Other sponsors included Halff, 1st Place Sports, Dennis + Ives, HNTB, Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA), Miller Electric, SCAPE Landscape Architecture, Breaking Ground Contracting, Gateway Jax, Lewis, Longman, Walker (LLW), Tom Bush Family of Dealerships, UF Health Jacksonville, Forcura, HDR and Jacobs.
“We are incredibly grateful to VyStar Credit Union, JTC Running, our generous sponsors and all the participants who support this event. The Emerald Trail 5K/10K raises critical funds for Groundwork Jacksonville, while encouraging residents from across the region to come out and experience the Emerald Trail,” said Kay Ehas, Groundwork Jacksonville CEO.
The run capped off VyStar Credit Union’s 2024 Good is everywhere campaign which began Sept. 12, including exciting free experiences highlighting community partners from Florida to Georgia, thousands of donated volunteer hours by VyStar employees, and employee-led Pay-it-Forward contributions throughout Central and North Florida. More than 100 VyStar employees participated in the Emerald Trail run/walk while a dozen more served as volunteers.
For the second year in a row, Terrance Sessoms finished first for the men in the 10K race with a time of 36:32. Loren Morgan topped the female 10K group finishing with a time of 46:12. The 5K overall winners were Marin Bograd with a time of 19:37 for the women, and Matthew Conant finishing at 19:07. See all race results at 1stplacesport.com.
Plans are already underway for the sixth annual event which is planned for Saturday, September 27, 2025. For sponsorship information, please contact April Jordan, April@GroundworkJacksonville.org.
