Pelham Parks and Rec hosting first 5k
Published 3:29 pm Thursday, November 1, 2018
- The third annual SafeHouse Strong 5k will take place Saturday, Aug. 27 at Oak Mountain State Park at 9 a.m. (File)
PELHAM – Pelham Parks and Recreation is hosting its inaugural Pelham City Park 5k on Saturday, Nov. 17, beginning at 8 a.m.
The 5k will take runners on a flat, spectator-friendly course around the city’s growing recreation facilities and along Cahaba Valley Creek. Water will be placed near miles one and two and additional food and beverages will be available at the finish line. The awards ceremony will begin at 9:15 a.m. at the rec center pavilion.
Parks and Rec Director Billy Crandall said Kevin Washburn, a rec center member who is also a runner, asked him if he would consider hosting a 5k at the park.
“The idea of a 5k has come up in the past but we had never been able to do it because we wanted to contain it within the park,” Crandall said. “We finally have the trails and the resources to do this and it also allows us to show off the park and the new facilities that have been built.”
Crandall said Washburn mapped out the route for the race and is helping oversee the event.
There’s a $20 entrance fee for the 5k, and those who register before Nov. 3 will receive a T-shirt. The entrance fee will increase to $25 after Nov. 3. Those interested in participating can register online at LocalRace.com or in person at the rec center. Crandall said there’s a 100-runner cap and about 40 people have registered for the run so far.
Cash prizes for the top three male and female finishers will be awarded. First place winners will get $100, $70 for second place and $35 for third place.
Finisher medals will be given to each person who completes the race. There will also be age group awards for the top three male and female finishers in the following age groups:19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70 and up.
No dogs or strollers will be allowed in the race. Children 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult during the race. For more information, contact Washburn at Kdwashburn@mac.com.