Team of homeless runners to compete in 5K

A group of runners from the organization Back on My Feet will compete in the National Press Club 5K on Saturday, June 11.

The nonprofit promotes self-sufficiency for the homeless by engaging them in running to build confidence, strength and self-esteem.

The team members come from an organization called Clean and Sober Streets, which provides free, long-term residential drug and alcohol treatment and rehabilitation services.

The participants on the Back on My Feet team have found a productive outlet in running. They get up to run at 5:45 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays looking for fellowship, according to Club member Pete Van Vleet.

Van Vleet, a video journalist for The Associated Press who volunteers to help the team, says they want to run the NPC 5K to gauge their speed and to enjoy a "race-day spirit."

He says they want to pound the pavement with a mass of people and hear the cheers and share the smiles and sweat of everyone out there. Van Vleet says they are looking to feel good about themselves, and they want to race to feel like a part of the community.

Race registration funds go to the Eric Friedheim National Journalism Library and its ongoing commitment to the future of journalism and diversity in the profession. Club members who don't run or walk in the event can still support the race and the library by donating through race registration.

Register at www.press.org/5K.