9th Annual Dick’s Drive-In Walkathon is this weekend

The annual 15-mile trek to all five Dick’s in Seattle to raise money for local charities is back for its ninth year, happening this Saturday, Sept. 21st.

The walkathon started when Ballardites Lars Phillips and his friend JP Osseward thought it would be fun to walk to all Dick’s Drive-Ins in a single day. Each year, they gained walkers, and they started fundraising as part of the trek.

“What started as the fun idea of two Ballardites of walking to all Dick’s Drive-In Locations in a single day has turned into an amazing charity event that has raised over $32,000 for local area charities in the last 3 years alone!” Phillips tells My Ballard.

This year, all funds raised will go to Dick’s Drive-In Change for Charity Partners, including Mary’s Place, Roots, FareStart, Cocoon House, Operation Nightwatch, Compass Housing Alliance, First Place, St. Martin DePorres Shelter, and the Red Cross.

“With a double match from both Dick’s Drive-In and Gravity Payments up to $5,000, we hope to raise $15,000,” Phillips says.

All are invited to join the walk, which starts at 10:15am at the Lake City Dick’s. Entry to the walk is $25 (sign up online), which will also get you a walkathon t-shirt, to be handed out at the start of the walk.

If you’d like to donate but can’t join the walk, you can do so online.