On March 26, piglets, pigs, and hogs will be running down the streets of Northlake Park. Don’t be alarmed, however; it is all for a fun run called the Pig Run of Lake Nona.
For the past six years, the Pig Run of Lake Nona has been holding a 5k fun run “with a twist,” and it has become a true Lake Nona tradition. Human racers choose a category ranging from casual to hog and run 2.5 kilometers, then enter the “Pig Pen,” where they eat their desired number of delicious Dunkin Donuts (0-12), then finish the remaining 2.5 kilometers. With all proceeds going towards the Big Awesome Charity of Nona, or B.A.C.O.N., this fun run is not only great for the family to attend but genuinely helps out our local community.
I was fortunate enough to interview the creators of the race, Dr. Michael Oslund, or (as he prefers to be called) Mike, and his amazing wife, Janna Oslund. They are high school sweethearts, married for 14 years, and they live in the North Shore community. They have two sweet and energetic girls who both greeted me with a hug. At a quick glance, they are your typical American family. He’s a local dentist, and she is a stay-at-home mom shuttling both girls around to gymnastics and music lessons. Even though they were both busy parents, when their girls were still preschoolers, they started a race that is now capped at 1,400 participants.
The first Pig Run was held in the summer of 2009 and began with the intent to put on a fun event. Originally, each runner began by eating a burrito, with a half dozen donuts half way through. There were roughly 60 people who participated, most who couldn’t eat the donuts, and it raised over $3,000. The money was given to a local church. Mike and Janna were excited they could contribute to a good cause and realized how much fun people had. They knew it had to be done again.
Year after year, the number of racers grew and grew, and although they have a website and social media, the race has grown mainly by word of mouth. Two years ago, a virtual option was available for registration, and 46 states participated along with men and women from our armed forces in 7 different countries. Every soldier’s registration fee was donated by another participant. By 2015, the Pig Run raised nearly $50,000 for charity.
No one at the Pig Run or B.A.C.O.N. takes a salary; all money raised after paying race expenses goes directly to great organizations. Last year’s funds were donated to our local Nemours “Child Life” program and Camp Boggy Creek. The “Child Life” program aids patients and families coping with medical treatments. Camp Boggy Creek provides a camping experience for children ages 7-16 diagnosed with chronic or life-threatening illnesses.
I asked Mike and Janna, “So, how does it all come together?” They looked at each other and said, “It’s our family, our friends, and our local community working as one.” Janna goes door to door to local businesses to gain sponsorships. Neighbor Laura Tracht runs the silent auction and is integral in organizing sponsorships and funds. Community members Bob and Michelle Parson organize the packets in their home with hundreds of boxes and a handful of close friends stuffing bags. Janna’s parents look after her girls for the weekend. Mike’s parents help run packet pick up and load and unload trucks while wearing headsets so everyone can stay in contact with each other. Neighborhood photographers Renee Freidel and Lonnie Rhodes take all the photos for the pig run. Community member Jay McQuillan emcees the “pig pen” and keeps everyone laughing while they eat their donuts. Friends pick up garbage cans and load the water containers for the runners. Lake Nona High School volunteers perform and assist the day of the run. Sponsorship amounts are kept low, so small, local business can participate. And the whole Pig Run wouldn’t be possible without the donut donation by Larry and Sonia Lemos at the Dunkin Donuts on Narcoossee and Moss Park Rd.
Talking to Mike and Janna, I understood why so many people have fallen in love with the Pig Run and look forward to this Lake Nona tradition. I also left with the feeling that just one family can really make a difference. The Pig Run started as a simple, fun event and has grown to be a wonderful contributor to our local organizations. On March 26, I plan on taking my family and participating in the event. Hope to see you there! Oink, oink!
Sign up for the race here: http://www.pigrunoflakenona.com/
