Donnie Gavin
Identity VerifiedPulaski Oktoberfest 5k
Physical therapist, husband & dad chasing bigger running and hybrid fitness goals — one race at a time.
About this campaign
What’s next? On October 10, I’ll race the Oktoberfest 5K and take another shot at lowering my personal best. This race is another checkpoint in my first year of seriously pursuing running and hybrid fitness while balancing work and family. Any sponsorship helps support race registration and the training and race-day expenses that come with chasing the next PR. Next goal: find out how much faster I can get.
My story
From My First 5K to HYROX I’m Donnie — a physical therapist, husband, dad, runner and lifter from Tennessee. I started taking running seriously in 2026 while trying to answer a pretty simple question: how fit can I become while balancing a career, family, lifting and everyday life? In May, I ran my first 5K in 28:00. Since then, I’ve continued training, learning and documenting the process through Donnie Runs & Lifts. In August, I accomplished one of my first big running goals by breaking 25 minutes in the 5K with a 24:59 finish. Now I’m building toward some bigger challenges. Next up: another 5K, my first 10K, followed by my biggest goal of the year — competing in my first HYROX in Nashville this December. I’m not a professional athlete. I’m a working dad who loves training, competing and seeing what I’m capable of. That’s also what Donnie Runs & Lifts is about: showing that you can chase meaningful athletic goals even when fitness isn’t your full-time job. I’m using SPNSRD to invite friends, family, local businesses and brands to become part of that journey. Your support helps cover race registrations, travel and other expenses that come with training and competing. More importantly, I want to build partnerships with people and businesses who believe in encouraging everyday athletes to keep showing up and chasing the next goal. Let’s see how far we can take this!
Where the money goes
- Registration$100
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