Contact:  Ed "Flash" Ferenc, Public Information Officer
              Cleveland Municipal Court                   
              216-664-6787   216-857-7420
              ference@cmcoh.org

(Cleveland) –A total of 310 people participated in the first Celebrating Recovery 5K Walk and Run Saturday, September 14th at Fort Huntington Park across from the Justice Center.

“The event was designed to call attention and support individuals who have taken steps to be clean, sober and productive members of society again,’’ said the Honorable Anita Laster Mays, who presides over the Greater Cleveland Drug Court, now in its 15th year of operation.

Judge Mays said the walk and run would not be possible without the cooperation of the Cleveland Department of Public Health and over a dozen local agencies who serve individuals dealing with substance abuse.

Broadcaster Harry Boomer of WOIO Channel 19 served as Master of Ceremonies and introduced former Cleveland Brown Wide Receiver Reggie Langhorne, who surprised many in the crowd after telling his story of addiction.

“Reggie is certainly not alone.  This disease touches so many people -- white, black, rich, poor, young and old.  And not only is the addict dealing with the problem, so are the people surrounding that person, mainly family members,” pointed out Mr. Boomer.

A number of Cleveland Municipal Court employees and several judges, including Judge Marilyn B. Cassidy and Judge Joe Zone participated.  “Team Tarver” a group formed by Judge Pauline Tarver comprised the largest group of walkers with 14 participants.

September is National Recovery Month and because of the tremendous enthusiasm for the walk and run, Judge Mays says it will take place every year from this point on.

 

 VIDEO:  Interviews from the "Celebrating Recovery 5K Walk and Run".