Quaker Valley Runner Organizes 'Brave American' 5K Run

A 16-year-old student and has organized a 5K race to help wounded troops coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Rob Veltre, a sophomore, said proceeds raised from the Brave American 5K run and walk on Feb. 25 in Sewickley will support the Boulder Crest Retreat for Wounded Warriors in Bluemont, VA.

Veltre said the organization delivers therapeutic outpatient care to soldiers with physical and psychological wounds. The retreat will offer soldiers and their families a place to rest and heal in a rural sanctuary.

"It truly is innovative in that it fits a niche that currently isn't filled in the world of wounded veterans," said Veltre, who planned the event as part of his school project.

The 5K race will begin at 9 a.m. Feb. 25 at War Memorial Park on Blackburn Road in . The course will take participants from War Memorial Park to Academy Avenue, Boundary Place, Thorn Street and Centennial Avenue.

If running isn't your forte, the event will include a 1-mile walk. The cost is $25 for the race and $15 for the 1-mile walk. Veltre hopes to raise at least $5,000.

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To register for the race click here or visit register.runhigh.com under "featured events," and click "Brave American 5K." There is a Facebook page for the race: www.facebook.com/5krace.

Information about the retreat is available at www.bouldercrestretreat.org/