The American Heart Association (AHA), the world’s leading voluntary health organization devoted to a world of longer, healthier lives is proud to announce its volunteer leadership for the 2021 Lawyers Have Heart 10K Race, 5K Run and Walk. Since 1991, the event has raised over $15.6 million, in support of vital research and programming to improve health and well-being across the Greater Washington Region.
Stepping up again are last year’s Co-Chairs Harrity & Harrity LLP’s Managing Partner John Harrity and Controller Sandra Maxey. They will be joined by American University Washington College of Law’s Associate Dean of Student Affairs, David Jaffe.
“I am thrilled to help lead this year’s event. As a runner and
supporter of the work of the American Heart Association, this race is of tremendous significance to me,” said Jaffe. “The funds raised by this event are needed, now, more than ever. Millions of people are counting on the AHA for science-based information, health resources, community programs and patient support. So it is up to Sandy, John, the Executive Leadership Team, the AHA team and me to host the biggest Lawyers Have Heart yet in 2021!”
Lawyers Have Heart began in 1991 as a running and walking event for the legal community and has evolved into a staple on DC’s running calendar attracting runners and walkers of all levels of experience and from all walks of life. This event annually attracts over 6500 runners and walkers to participate on a challenging course through the District.
2020 marked the 30th Anniversary of Lawyers Have Heart and presented unprecedented challenges due to COVID-19. With health and safety of participants, volunteers, donors, and staff as the top priority, the decision was made to mark the 30th Anniversary as a reimagined virtual run and walk with 30 days of challenges leading up to race weekend.
Through the dedication of the event’s Executive Leadership Team, Team Captains and the running community at large, this past year knew no boundaries and encouraged runners and walkers from all over the world to join the fun. Over 3,000 participants ran and walked their courses all over the United States, England, Croatia, Spain, South Africa, Japan, Turkey, Chile and more. Hosted on the event’s Facebook page and event listing, the race experienced high engagement and had an extensive reach of 1.3 million people with participants sharing their #RUNLHH experience through videos, comments and pictures on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
“I was humbled by the incredible response we received when we took the event to a digital experience last year. Even my 90-year-old aunt was able to participate,” said Harrity. “We are excited and hopeful that we can take what we learned from last year and continue to transform the race. Hopefully we can see people in person on the starting line but we will continue to encourage everyone to participate from wherever they are.”
The American Heart Association continues to work with researchers, medical experts, hospitals, community leaders, businesses, families and more to improve health and well-being for all and to reduce the impact of the coronavirus. “We were made for this moment and that is a reflection of the relentless support and dedication of our volunteers, donors and sponsors,” said Soula Antoniou, Executive Director, American Heart Association. “With Sandy, John and David leading the charge, this will be a big year for 31st Lawyers Have Heart campaign.”
To learn more about the race and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.LawyersHaveHeartDC.org.