Jackrabbit Jog 5K raises awareness for polycystic kidney disease in Bowling Green

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Runners, walkers and families gathered in Bowling Green over Memorial Day weekend for the annual Jackrabbit Jog 5K and Bunny Hop Kids Fun Run, raising money and awareness for Polycystic Kidney Disease.

The annual Memorial Day event featured multiple races for participants of different ages and experience levels, including a 5K, a longer race option and a Bunny Hop Fun Run for children. Supporters lined the course, cheering runners on, while participants later received medals, awards and door prizes.

The race benefits awareness and research efforts for polycystic kidney disease, or PKD — a genetic disorder that causes fluid-filled cysts to grow on the kidneys and can eventually lead to kidney failure. According to the PKD Foundation, the disease affects about one in every 500 people.

For race director Ryan Dearbone, the cause is deeply personal.

Dearbone said his mother, grandfather and uncle all passed away from PKD, with the disease affecting multiple generations of his family.

“It’s one of those diseases that doesn’t have a cure right now,” Dearbone said. “The goal is to raise money and to raise awareness.”

Now in its 11th year, Dearbone said the race has become more than just a competition — it’s a family event designed to bring the community together.

“That’s why I want it to be more than just a 5K,” Dearbone said. “I want it to be something for the kids, something for families.”

Dearbone said the Bowling Green running community continues to show strong support for the event each year, helping raise awareness for a disease many people may not know about unless it has personally affected their family.

He said he hopes one day the event will become a celebration of a cure.

“Hopefully one day the Jackrabbit Jog will be a celebration race because we’ve beat PKD,” Dearbone said.

The Jackrabbit Jog was held on Memorial Day weekend and included races for adults and children, welcoming runners of all ages in support of the cause.

For more information, visit pkdcure.org.