On Saturday, April 16, the City of Salisbury will have a big day.
Since Salisbury has been designated as a ěFit Communityî for the past three years, this day will be a celebration of that status. The events will also commemorate Earth Day.
Lots of partners have played a part in the big event.
Sponsoring organizations include the State Employees Credit Union, Earth Grains Bread, Salisbury Academy, Rowan Partnership for Community Health, Sportrax, Whimziggy, Rowan Cabarrus Community College, Davidson Community College, Catawba College, Rowan Regional Medical Center and the Salisbury Rowan Runners.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the 2011 Relay for Life. Volunteers from Relay for Life and other sponsors will be on hand as course and finish-line workers. Besides the 10K Run (6.2 miles), there will be a 5K Health Walk and a Kidsí Fun Run. City Park and the Salisbury Greenway System will be featured on the 10K course.
All participants in the 10K and 5K Health Walk will get a dri-fit shirt and refreshments. Age group and overall winners in the 10K will be eligible for awards designed by Whimziggy, who also provided the race logo.
Salisbury Parks and Recreation and the Salisbury Rowan Runners have been offering 10 Weeks to 10K that will culminate with the event on April 16.
Mike Richards, a longtime runner, had experienced some health issues over the last few years.
ěThe 10K class offered me an opportunity to get back into running. Iíve done marathons and used to enjoy adventure runs. Several vertebrae in my back were fused, and my doctor OKíd me running again. So here I am,î Richards said.
Deborah Howell joined the 10K class for another reason.
She will honor her friend and co-worker Cindy Webb with her participation.
Webb recently had cancer surgery, and the association with Relay for Life made a perfect fit.
Howell is raising money at Partners in Learning for Webbís expenses as she runs the race.
ěMy effort will be much easier than Cindyís, though I had not run a step in 20 years. A 10K has been on my bucket list, and I canít let others down. It is a great motivator,î Howell said.
Randy Miller has been a regular runner, though only in 5Ks. He wanted to get in better shape and complete the longer distance.
ěI know I can finish, and I will use this as a stepping stone to completing a marathon one day,î he said.
Jamie Morehead, another class member, echoes many of the same reasons for participation. She wanted to be in better shape, and to get back into running. ěI found new friends who have banded together to prepare for the race. My goal was to get back into running and complete a new challenge. It will be fun.î
Runners will compete over a course that highlights the many neighborhoods around City Park, the Greenway, Rowan Regional Hospital, and the golf course area near the Country Club. A fast downhill start and a long downhill and flat finish highlight a scenic course that has a net elevation loss.
Activities for families and spectators will also be available. Games and an obstacle course for children are planned for the City Park area.
ěTouch a Truck,î an event to let anyone see and feel the trucks used by city employees, will follow shortly after the completion of the running/walking events.
Morehead sums it all up by saying, ěRunning with other people makes a world of difference. I feel stronger and better about myself, and I know it will be an accomplishment to run a 10K. My family and new running friends will be proud of me for doing it.î
So will those who are collecting the race proceeds for Relay for Life and those who are celebrating Salisburyís ěFit Communityî status.
Race/ Walk events start with registration for the events at 6:45 a.m.
The 10K starts at 8 a.m., the 5K Walk at 8:05 a.m. and the Fun Run at 8:10 a.m.
Race headquarters will be at the City Park Center and Shelter No. 1 nearby.
For more information, check out www.salisburync.gov/pkrec and www.salisburyrowanrunners.org, or call 704-216-7529 or 704-310-6741.