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LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 5, 2013) — In 2011, Paula Heron had an idea — to complete a 27-hour triathlon as a means to bring attention to modern-day slavery across the globe, also known as human trafficking. In 2011, Heron completed the triathlon alone.
This weekend, more than 100 participants will complete the triathlon – an increase from just five last year.
The 3rd Annual 27-Hour Triathlon begins at 6 a.m. Friday, June 7, and runs through 9 a.m. Saturday, June 8, at Spindletop Hall in Lexington.
Heron, a postdoctoral fellow from the University of Kentucky, said she continues to be amazed at how the event has grown.
“I am truly honored to have so many people uniting in what started as my effort to bring attention to the estimated 27 million people currently living in slavery,” Herron said.
A Fair Trade Festival is also part of this year's event. From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Spindletop Hall, and will feature numerous local vendors displaying fair trade goods for sale, including items such as clothing and jewelry made by survivors of human trafficking. Also present will be numerous organizations from Lexington and surrounding areas involved in fighting human trafficking.
Vendors will include: the UK Sustainability Office, Lucia's World Friendly Boutique, Good Foods, Bluegrass Rape Crisis Center, Kentucky Rescue and Restore, Nutrimax/Max Muscle, Kentucky Sports Massage Team, Georgetown College. Positively Java, Seedleaf and Cluck.
Other activities include music by DJ Stizz, a bake sale including Browning's Country Ham biscuits, fair trade coffee and a fair trade chocolate tasting. Kids' activities will include inflatables and a kids' raffle.
"We hope that the festival will offer more people the opportunity to learn about fair trade and the local businesses and organizations that support it," Heron said.
Volunteers are needed to help with the event. Please contact paula@tri4freedom.org or 859-536-8755
