The countdown is on for the 12th annual Miles for Mills Memorial Day weekend 5K presented by New Balance Foundation and hosted by the Travis Mills Foundation.
Proceeds support the seven programs offered at the foundation for veterans and their families; combat veterans; and first responders with post-traumatic stress disorder. Last year the event raised around $135,000; the organization aims to raise $200,000 at this year’s Miles for Mills event.
The race was founded by Mills, a staff sergeant in the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army. Mills was critically injured on his third tour of duty in Afghanistan and lost parts of all four limbs from an IED (improvised explosive device). He was one of only five quadruple amputees from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to survive his injuries.
In September 2022, he and his wife Kelsey opened the Travis Mills Foundation Retreat, a 9,800-square-foot, $7 million healing center. The foundation’s programming provides activities for veterans and their families, combined with the tools and skills needed for a healthy recovery. The center includes an indoor pool, massage rooms, fitness rooms and state-of-the-art workout equipment.
Mills was honored as a Mainebiz 2023 Business Leader of the Year.
“It was an incredible event last year and so many folks felt connected to this location because of its military history,” said Mills.
The race will be held Sunday, May 28, at Brunswick Landing, the former Brunswick Naval Air Station in Brunswick. The race will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 11 a.m. The event will also include food, drinks, music, children’s activities, awards and an after-party at Flight Deck Brewing and Wild Oats.
“The Brunswick community – including individuals and all of the sponsors who made this event memorable – embraced the Travis Mills Foundation last year,” said Heather Hemphill, executive director of the Travis Mills Foundation. “We’re confident that our race has found a home within the Brunswick community and we can’t wait to reunite with you on Memorial Day Weekend to run and remember.”
