Monthly Archives: August 2026

By David Freeze

Bible Teacher’s 5K and more

   I caught up with Lynn Furr, treasurer for the South Rowan Bible Teachers Association and race director of the Fifth Annual Run for the Word 5K and Fun Run, set for Landis on September 12^th. She said, “Our association has only one purpose, to fund Bible teachers for those schools in the South Rowan area who want one. Currently we are supporting three teachers who work in five schools, teaching the history of the Holy Bible and with a great following. More schools have inquired about teachers.”

   Furr continued, “If you agree that it is important to teach the Bible in schools, please support our 5K and Fun Run. We are going to have a great time on race day. Since Rowan County has so many runners and almost everyone can be walkers, we’d be super happy to have you run or walk the race. The course is flat, without a real hill and has had fast times and many PR’s. Regardless of that, this is the perfect time to walk your first ever 5K or even run your first. All ages can enter the half mile fun run. There is no pressure to complete the course by a certain time. We want all participants to have fun, whether they are chasing a personal record, or doing the event for the first time or specifically to support the Bible teacher program.”

    The event also has openings for virtual runners, those who don’t actually come to run or walk, but they want to get the shirt and support the event. SRBTA loves virtual runners! Virtual runners already sign up for other races, all the while knowing that they can’t attend. Furr said, “I am fully in charge of commemorative race shirts, and you better believe that any virtual runner will be appreciated and will get their requested shirt size.”

   The race needs volunteers! To start with, the 31 course monitors who will point the runners in the right direction and help with traffic. The Town of Landis is a major partner for the race and will handle street closings, but volunteers are important too.

   Furr said, “We will have some fun with Andy and Barney of Andy Griffith show fame. Every runner, walker and volunteer will receive ice cream after the race, and we’ve got great overall and age group awards from the Trophy House and I’m working on door prizes. Through our fundraisers, we need to raise about $225,000 annually to keep Bible teachers in our schools. And we can still add sponsors and donations are accepted anytime, so please call or text me at 704-724-2819.”

     Also don’t forget SRR’s annual Prediction Run 5K on August 29^th. Free to all SRR members, you can become one by joining for $30 before race day at runsignup.com or at the event. Great prizes, including two new pairs of running shoes, one for the winner and another as a door prize, and much more will highlight the event.

     And finally, I have decided to get back on the bike for a summer trip. As many of you know, I broke my back in a farming accident in May 2024. It took many months of prayers and Dr. Eline and Novant Health’s work to put my back together again. A trip was planned for 2024, a longer trip than this one will be. I didn’t get to take it, but I answer questions constantly about those magical bicycle rides around our great country since 2013. All 50 states have been visited by my bike on solo trips, most of them multiple times.

       There were several things on my checklist to do again after the broken back. One was the May 2025’s Special Olympics Torch Run and another was the team run across 178 miles of Nevada and California mountains. Both of those were completed successfully, so now I want to add another ride.

       I plan to drive to Machens, Missouri and ride largely on the Katy Trail from Machens to Clinton on the most famous and longest rail trail in the country. I have been hearing about the Katy Trail since I began riding when one rider who was also going cross country, left the Transamerica route to ride the Katy. The Katy has three larger towns and numerous small ones, some with no services. The Missouri River, the only major river that I have only crossed but never seen much of, will be the highlight. I do love the big rivers! The course is loaded with history, at least one that is a big mystery with a Salisbury connection. I’m hoping for about 550-600 miles total.

     The Post will again be covering my journey, and it wouldn’t seem right to do it any other way. Post readers have ridden along through the highs and lows of three cross country trips and just about every major route north and south, even all the way to Alaska. It will be my pleasure to ride with you again!

    Look for the Run for the Word 5K and Fun Run and the Prediction Run, and many more, at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org