By EMILY REED

Special to the Reporter

HOOVER – The fourth annual Aubie 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run will be held April 22 at Veterans Park in Hoover.

The event helps generate funding for the Greater Birmingham Auburn Club’s academic scholarship endowments awarded by Auburn University to students from Shelby and Jefferson counties.

The race is held in memory of Meredith Leann Maddox, and the Meredith Leann Maddox Memorial Endowed Scholarship is one of the endowments.

Maddox was involved in a car accident in May 2000 that paralyzed her below the arms and left her with no motor or sensory skills.

She died March 31, 2015.

“Meredith was a teacher, mentor and coach to the many students she touched in her short life on earth,” race volunteer Nick Hall said. “Meredith always had a desire to help others and that carried through when she had the tragic automobile accident in May 2000 that left her paralyzed below her arms. Meredith fought her way back from a long rehab, finished her education and put into practice the teaching and coaching she so desired to deliver. Confined to a wheelchair was no issue for Meredith, as she once again engaged in sports and actually pushed several 10K races in her wheelchair to become a competitive athlete.”

The 5K race will begin at 8 a.m. with the 1-Mile Fun Run beginning at 9 a.m.

Awards will be given to first place overall, first place overall male and female, and the top three male and females by age categories.

The race will held in rain or shine, with an average of 150-200 runners participating for the 5K and about 50-75 people participating in the 1-Mile Fun Run.

“Meredith will live through this endowed scholarship and the concept of helping students would be exactly what she desired as one of the most significant parts,” Hall said.

Hall said there are no major changes to the event this year from previous years, but the event is being held earlier in the year with the hopes of cooler temperatures.

“We typically have the event in late May or early June, but we decided to host it in April this year,” Hall said. “This is a great opportunity for people to come out and support the Greater Birmingham Auburn Club, whether you are an Auburn alumni, fan or not. Aubie will be present prior to the race and will be available for pictures, which is always a favorite of the participants.”

All pre-registered runners will receive a T-shirt. Availability on race day will be a on a first-come, first-served basis.

Veterans Park is located at 4800 Valleydale Road in Hoover.

For more information about the race or to pre-register, visit Runsignup.com/Race/AL/Hoover/GreaterBirminghamAuburnClubAubie5K1MileFunRun.

For questions about the event, contact Michael Lovett at 966-6776 or michael.lovett@yahoo.com or Nick Hall at (256) 298-1494 or auhall@gmail.com.