Orion Federal Credit Union picks up the baton and carries forward a great Memphis running tradition that has filled Downtown streets for 21 consecutive years. Runners and walkers will be invited to line up at 7 o’clock on Saturday evening, June 9th for the inaugural Orion 5K benefitting St. Patrick Community Outreach, Inc. The 3.1 mile course will take runners through historic Beale Street and alongside the Mississippi River with a finish line near FedEx Forum and St. Patrick Church. That’s where the incredible band Marcella and Her Lovers will welcome participants to a lively, family friendly post-race celebration featuring delicious food, cold beer and other refreshments.

“The Orion 5K race has a rich tradition in the Memphis community. We invite all from the Mid-South to participate in this fun, family friendly event that shows off our city from Beale Street, to the river, and down South Main. It’s a unique race that celebrates our city’s culture and hospitality,” stated Daniel Weickenand, Orion CEO.

Formerly known as the Gibson Guitar 5K, the all new Orion 5K carries forward the tradition of benefitting St. Patrick Community Outreach, Inc., a 501 © nonprofit that carries fresh fruit, vegetables and other healthy foods to parts of our community that have no easy access to high quality nutrition at cost. It runs the Green Machine Mobile Food Market, a MATA city bus renovated to serve as a rolling farmer’s market. In addition, St. Patrick’s Community Outreach, Inc. feeds the hungry each Sunday at its headquarters located at Pontotoc Ave. and 4th Street near FedEx Forum. The agency operates the city’s largest emergency food pantry in Memphis’ most economically challenged zip code, 38126.

Runners will line up on Beale Street at 4th Street and run westbound through the “Boulevard of the Blues” to Riverside Drive for a spectacular half mile alongside the Mighty Mississippi River before running back through the south end of Downtown to the finish line where the post-race party will await. A Kid’s Fun Zone will provide entertainment for the young among us while those of age enjoy Miller Lite from our friends at A.S. Barbaro and delectable delights from some of favorite Memphis’ food vendors.

The ORION 5K is one of four races featured in the M-Town Race Series sponsored by UT University Clinical Health. The companion races in the series include Zoom through the Zoo (May 24) Harborton 5K (June 1) and the Stars and Stripes 5K (July 3). Start 2 Finish Event Management will collect finishing times at all four events and present age group awards to First, Second and Third Place cumulative winners who participate in a minimum of three M-Town Evening Running Series races.

The Inaugural Orion 5K benefitting St. Patrick Community Outreach, Inc. is presented by Orion Federal Credit Union.

Register online to participate in the race at: www.orion5k.racesonline.com