Ride, run, walk events in Saratoga Springs aid child exploitation fight

PHOTOGRAPHER: David Lombardo

A group dedicated to the end of child trafficking and exploitation will hold a day of events Sept. 22 to raise money and spread awareness.

The event has its roots in 2007, when a small group of friends was inspired by the human rights organization Love146. Armed with information about child slavery they formed Ride4Love, which kicked off its efforts in 2008 with a 60-person bike race that raised more than $20,000 for Love146.

The event — which has grown to include 15-mile, 30-mile and 100-mile bike rides, a five-kilometer run/walk and one-mile kids ride — will be held this year on Sept. 22 at the Saratoga Spa State Park. The expanded field of competitions began in 2010 and gave the event its new moniker, the Ride Run Walk 4 Love. The 100-mile bike race is in recognition of Love146’s 10 year anniversary.

Jacob Hopper, event co-founder and founding partner of Saratoga Springs-based Modern Mix Marketing, said he was very excited to celebrate the event’s fifth year.

“It has really meant a lot to me to watch the event grow from year to year and see our community come together for this cause,” Hopper said in a statement. “It has meant even more to know there are hundreds of young lives being saved and restored because of our efforts.”

Since its creation, the local charity has raised more than $150,000 for Love146. Funds raised go to programs in prevention and aftercare. According to Love146, about 27 million people are still enslaved in the world, about 1.2 million of them children.

Love146 President and co-founder Rob Morris said he has seen a lot of positive change in the fight to end child trafficking since his group was founded 10 years ago. “I have seen the evidence of restoration when communities come together to fight for justice,” he said in a statement. “I am so grateful for those who commit to the fight with us by creating events like the Ride Run Walk 4 Love.”

For more information on the race, go to www.rrw4l.com. More information about the organization Love146 can be found at www.love146.org.