Freed to Run was started in 2016 by Gunster Shareholder Mike Freed as a six marathons in six days point to point relay, from Tallahassee to Jacksonville, courthouse to courthouse, with teams covering the distance by taking turns throughout the day. For the next 7 years, Freed to Run raised money and awareness to support pediatric patients and their families in navigating legal obstacles that often impede their health outcomes. The result: $2.25 million raised and placed in an endowment to fully fund the North Florida Medical Legal Partnership.
In 2023, Freed to Run transformed into a 24 hour run over a half mile track around the Duval County Justice Complex benefitting Shelter for Elders - to help protect and enhance civil legal aid services for indigent seniors, particularly as it relates to housing issues - reverse mortgage foreclosure, door-to-door scam
s and other civil legal issues that directly impact the ability of seniors to age in place throughout Northeast Florida.
Participants can join as an individual or relay team to run 24 hours, 12 hours, the finish 5k, or the police-escorted bike ride from St. Johns County.
Mike Freed, who founded Freed to Run, is a business litigation shareholder in Gunster's Jacksonville office. Freed holds a vast experience in the courtroom and arbitrations, administrative proceedings and other forms of dispute resolution. He is board certified in business litigation with a practice spanning a wide range of disciplines and industries, including corporate governance, education, health care, hospitality, labor and employment, construction, logistics, transportation and receiverships.
