Valentine's Day 5K and 5-Miler at North Park to Benefit Those With Glut1 DS

There will be a Valentine’s Day 5K and 5-Miler Saturday in to raise awareness about the rare disease Glucose Transporter Type 1 Deficiency Syndrome. 

The Remi Savioz Glut1 Foundation is sponsoring the event for the second year in a row. The foundation was founded in January 2010 on behalf of Remi Savioz, a 13-year-old in Franklin Park who was diagnosed with the rare brain disease at age 8 after a lifetime of seizures, speech and language delay, renal complications, movement disorders and cognitive impairment.

"The Savioz family began this mission after being told by researchers that little could be done due to the lack of funding for Glut1 DS," according to the foundation's website.

All proceeds benefit the Remi Savioz Glut1 Foundation (RSG1) and the RSG1 Brain Fund at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC.

The rain-or-shine race for runners of all ages and experience levels will start at 10 a.m. at the North Park Boathouse. The top three male and female finishers in different age groups will be recognized—19 and younger, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+.

Registration is $20 per runner. Runners who pay a $30 registration fee will receive a long-sleeved T- shirt. The early registration deadline is Friday at midnight. Late registration will be $40.

Same-day registration will begin at 8 a.m. Online registration is encouraged and available at www.valentinesday5k.kintera.org. Those not seeking to run can participate in a virtual run or walk.

Elite Runners & Walkers will provide the course, and Runner’s High will provide the timing.

Race sponsors are New Balance Sports Monitors, Heinz, Eat'n Park, Emergen-C, Road ID, Raw Indulgence and Dick’s Sporting Goods.

The mission of the Remi Savioz Glut1 Foundation (RSG1) is to fund research, awareness and education of Glucose Transporter Type 1 Deficiency Syndrome and other diseases such as cancer, epilepsy and diabetes affected by glucose transporters.

The RSG1 Foundation provides assistance and support to patients, providing educational tools for students and school districts that teach children to make a positive impact and teach adults about rare diseases through “Kids Helping Kids” and “Learning in the Lunchroom" programs.

RSG1 seeks to fund adolescent patient assistance programs in Pittsburgh and other regions with its “Scales for Patients Program.”