UK Employee Hosts Triathlon, Raises Awareness of Human Trafficking
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 6, 2014) — She started out pushing her body to the limit for a good cause -- today, University of Kentucky employee Paula Heron is once again hosting the 27-Hour Triathlon to raise awareness of modern-day slavery.
This year's event marks the 4th annual triathlon, sponsored by Clark Forklifts. The event began at 6 a.m. Friday at Spindletop Hall, and athletes are swimming for 2.5 hours, biking for 12.5 hours and then running overnight for 12 hours, finishing at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning.
Heron is the founder of the non-profit organization Tri 4 Freedom and a full time UK employee. Her triathlon is 27 hours long to honor the 27 million human beings that are enslaved today around the world.
A Fair Trade Festival is also part of this event for the fourth year in a row. This evening, 6 to 10 p.m., visitors are invited to shop and enjoy themselves while supporting their triathletes.
“We welcome supporters to come out to Spindletop to do some fair trade shopping, have a local West 6th craft beer, and cheer for the athletes," Heron said.
There will be food for sale, a cash bar and DJ Stizz mixing up the music. Vendors selling fair trade goods include Lucia’s World Friendly Boutique, Valley Park Crochet Kitchen and LexSews.
The 27-Hour Triathlon began in 2011 as a solo effort and has grown to more than 130 participants this year, including more than 30 UK employees. UK teams include physiology, CBlueTri and Smiley’s Garage.
Earlier this year, Tri 4 Freedom, in partnership with Lamar Advertising, designed a billboard to give victims of human trafficking a chance to reach assistance. The billboard is located on Paris Pike just south of the I-64 exit.
For more information on the event, contact Paula Herron at pmhero2@uky.edu.
Media contact: Allison Perry, allison.perry@uky.edu
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