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RECORD-BREAKING: 2017 Mercedes-Benz Stadium 5K/Walk Like MADD Surpasses All Expectations

By the numbers:

$516,352 raised, and still counting…

 9,135 Participants, Volunteers, and Spectators

 

Photo Courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons.

Across the country, Walk Like MADD is Mothers Against Drunk Driving’s signature fundraising event to raise both awareness and funds to eliminate drunk driving. With every step taken and each dollar raised, walkers and runners are supporting MADD’s lifesaving mission to keep families and communities safe. On September 30, 2017, thousands of people gathered in Atlanta, Georgia to participate in the 2017 Mercedes-Benz Stadium 5K/Walk Like MADD. This year’s event was the largest participant and fundraising event in MADD’s 37 year history! Results for this event are available through the Atlanta Track Club event page.

 

Arthur Blank, owner of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United FC, spoke at the kick-off of the 2017 Mercedes-Benz Stadium 5K/Walk Like MADD. Mercedes-Benz Stadium is the home of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United FC, and both organizations played key roles in this year’s event. Photo courtesy of Hakim Wright Sr. Photography.

 

Freddie Falcon, the beloved mascot of the Atlanta Falcons, was there bright and early at 7:30am for the kick-off of the 2017 Mercedes-Benz Stadium 5K/Walk Like MADD on September 30, 2017. Photo courtesy of Hakim Wright Sr. Photography.

Pictured, Left to Right: Holly Thomson (AMB Group Military Programming and Outreach Consultant), Bob Dallas (MADD GA State Advisory Council Member), Matt Myers (MADD GA State Advisory Council Member), Angela Blank (Event Co-Chair; MADD GA State Advisory Council Member), Amy Sands (Event Co-Chair; MADD GA State Advisory Council Member), Patrick Murphy (Former Under Secretary of the Army), Debbie Day (MADD Georgia State Executive Director); Photo courtesy of Jen Pair Photography.

All participants in the 2017 Mercedes-Benz Stadium 5K/Walk Like MADD ran/walked through the player’s tunnel and finished the course with a spectacular view of the field inside of Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Photo courtesy of Jen Pair Photography.

 

Participants in the 2017 Mercedes-Benz Stadium 5K/Walk Like MADD finished the race on the 50-yard line down on the field. Photo courtesy of Hakim Wright Sr. Photography.

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz Stadium 5K/Walk Like MADD raises both funds and awareness to eliminate drunk driving, but the event also takes a moment to recognize victims/survivors of drunk and drugged driving crashes. Pictured above are representatives from this year’s Victim Teams being recognized on-stage, holding photos of loved ones that have been injured or killed in drunk or drugged driving crashes. Their Victim Teams are created in honor or in memory of their loved ones. Daniel Mata (center) sang during the Victim Tribute presentation. Photo courtesy of Jen Pair Photography.

At the conclusion of the 2017 Mercedes-Benz Stadium 5K/Walk Like MADD,  participants and spectators gathered to watch the post-race presentations, including the announcement of the 5K male and female winners, along with the recogition of the 2017 Victim Teams (pictured above) and the Victim Tribute presentation honoring lives lost or injured as a result of drunk or drugged driving crashes. Photo courtesy of Hakim Wright Sr. Photography.

 

Adolpho A. Birch III (left), Sr. Vice President of Labor Policy and League Affairs – National Football League (NFL), and Debbie Weir (right), Chief Executive Officer – Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) both attended the 2017 Mercedes-Benz Stadium 5K/Walk Like MADD on September 30, 2017 in Atlanta. Photo courtesy of Jen Pair Photography.

 

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz Stadium 5K/Walk Like MADD was an event for the entire family to enjoy. The total 8,535 registered participants of the event also included the 50m Dashers. Participants in the 50m Dash were children ages 6 and younger, and they had the opportunity to run the 50m down on the field inside of Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Photo courtesy of Jen Pair Photography.

 

In the post-race program, MADD Georgia was presented with a check for monies raised for the event up to race day. The event will continue to raise funds until October 30, 2017. Pictured, Left to Right: Brian “Buck” Rogers (Event Emcee and MADD GA State Advisory Council Member); John Houghton (MADD GA State Advisory Council Member); Adolpho A. Birch III (Sr. Vice President of Labor Policy and League Affairs – NFL); Debbie Day (MADD GA State Executive Director); Debbie Weir (Chief Executive Officer – MADD); Angela Blank (Event Co-Chair; MADD GA State Advisory Council Member); Amy Sands (Event Co-Chair; MADD GA State Advisory Council Member). Photo courtesy of Hakim Wright Sr. Photography.