Running was meant to be free.

The story behind the Willie Free 5k is a simple one. I had always dreamed about being able to run a race where I didn't have to pay, unless it was supporting a worthy cause. It didn't make sense to me why a race should cost so much. By the end, all I would have to show for the effort was a t-shirt plastered with logos. Thus, the idea of a free 5k run was born: A race that costs nothing to run and doesn't offer a t-shirt covered in logos.

Why the name "Willie Free" 5k? Mostly because that happens to be my name, but it does sound similar to "really free" 5k.