Inaugural Nashville Aruna Run 5K: Bringing Lifelong Freedom to Trafficked Women

100% of Registration Fees and Donations Go to the Cause

Nashville, Tenn. – On August 10, 2024, at 7:00 a.m., Vaughn’s Gap in Warner Parks will host the inaugural Nashville Aruna 5K Run/Walk. This event is part of a series of 13 runs organized by the Aruna Project to raise awareness about the harsh realities of human trafficking in India and generate funds to aid in the freedom process. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Aruna is an international human rights non-profit dedicated to freeing, employing, and empowering survivors of human trafficking. Remarkably, 100% of participant registration fees and donations go directly to the cause, with all run expenses covered by local corporate sponsorships.

Ella Lambert, the local Nashville volunteer race host, expressed her motivation for organizing the event: “I was moved to host a race here in Nashville because I was stunned by the horror of human trafficking and discouraged by the statistics I’ve heard. Aruna’s life-honoring mission inspired me, and I knew I needed to do everything in my power to help move it forward. The life-changing, personal impact of our actions and money is simply incredible, and I am excited for the people of Nashville to play a part in these brave women’s journey to freedom.”

The Aruna Project creates lifelong freedom for victims of human trafficking through employment marked by holistic care. The funds raised from registration fees and donations support Training Centers located in the heart of brothel districts in India. Here, trafficked women receive hot meals, skills development training, and counseling. Once freed and employed in the Freedom Business, these women are provided a living wage, transitional housing, retirement savings, healthcare, and counseling, enabling them to begin the healing process and build a future. As Artisans, they develop manufacturing skills to produce a beautiful line of athleisure accessories sold online and in select US retailers. Additionally, these Artisans produce the swag bags given to all Aruna Run participants.

Ryan Berg, Aruna Co-founder and CEO, highlighted the importance of their work in India: “Considering that human trafficking is a global epidemic, many people wonder, why India? While combatting it everywhere is important, India is paramount for us because Indian women’s risk of being sexually exploited is increased by the convergence of factors like violence, corruption, gender bias, poverty, and limited education. We work in the center of some of the highest concentrations of sex trafficking in Asia, with an estimated 15,000 sex workers in a two-square-mile area. Bearing that in mind, we simply must do something on behalf of these trafficked women.”

Nashville Aruna Run participants will choose the name of a trafficked woman—one whom Aruna is actively working to free—and write her name on their race bibs. They will run and walk to raise awareness and funds to help bring and sustain freedom for her and others like her. Participants will receive email updates on her journey to freedom throughout the year.

Since the start of the Freedom Business in 2014, the Aruna Run Series has generated funds that have:
– Freed, employed, and empowered over 120 Artisans
– Ensured 361 children, siblings, family members, and friends are no longer at risk of being trafficked
– Provided support to 4,439 women in the brothel system
– Established five training centers on the edge of brothel systems in India to accelerate the freedom process, two safe transitional housing facilities, and a production facility where Aruna products are handcrafted by empowered Artisans
– Employed two women freed from sex trafficking domestically at the US headquarters, creating an international sisterhood of those who have overcome

The registration fee for the 2024 Nashville Aruna Run ranges from $35-$45, depending on the registration date. The fee includes a packable backpack handmade by Aruna Artisans, an Aruna Run t-shirt, and an Aruna sticker. For online registration and complete run details, visit Nashville Aruna Run 

“I am incredibly excited for the inaugural run here in Nashville!” said Ella Lambert. “It is not too late to sign up—online registration will remain open until just before the race starts on August 10. There are prizes for building a team and fundraising. So lace up your running shoes, Nashville, and join the thousands across the U.S. running to bring freedom to Sadhika, Bhanu, Aseema, Pival, Gojari, and so many others.”

About The Aruna Project
The Aruna Project creates lifelong freedom for victims of human trafficking through employment marked by holistic care. After women are freed and employed in the Freedom Business, they are provided a living wage, transitional housing, retirement savings, healthcare, and counseling to begin healing and building a foundation for their future. As Artisans, they develop manufacturing skills to produce a line of athleisure accessories sold online and in select US retailers, with proceeds funding their holistic care. The catalyst for this freedom process is the Aruna Run Series, a network of 5K run/walks across the country, with 100% of registration fees and donations going to the cause. Learn more at Aruna Project