By David Freeze
United Way’s Run for the Mountains and More
Due to finishing up my tour of the North Carolina state parks, I’m a little late on sharing information about the October races. The wonderful temperatures of the past week beckon runners and walkers while the charities that organize the races need your help.
Saturday’s Dolphin Dash 5K and Fun Run takes place at Sacred Heart Catholic School with the county’s only cross-country course used for an open (any age) race. It’s all grass and dirt with no pavement at all, starting and finishing on the school’s soccer field. An extra bonus is that the fourth annual race is part of the school’s Octoberfest.
Sunday has the brand-new Run for the Mountains 5K, benefiting the United Way’s western North Carolina disaster relief programs. A fun run for kids starts at 1:45pm and is followed by the 5K race at Salisbury Community Park on Hurley School Road. Plenty of parking is available, and the forecast looks great for runners and walkers of any ability to enjoy the park setting. Some of the course is on pavement and some of it is on gravel. No awards will be given so that 100% of the proceeds will benefit those in distress. All participants will get an official time and a certificate to pick up a commemorative short sleeve dri-fit shirt 10 days later at the United Way office. Novant Health will donate the refreshments.
Here is a statement from United Way Executive Director Jenny Lee concerning how her organization is helping those western NC residents. Lee said, “While most of Helene’s physical damage occurred in Western North Carolina, the impact of this devastation is being felt far and wide. The Salvation Army of Rowan County, for example, has been deployed to the western part of the state and has served a total of 21,900 mass feedings, with an additional 12,150 served via mass drops. As those impacted by the storm relocate, other local nonprofits, such as Rowan Helping Ministries and One Love Community Services, will also face additional challenges. Rowan County United Way is committed to supporting our local nonprofits by surveying our community partners to gain a better understanding of their emerging needs. We are also monitoring NC 211 disaster response calls to collect more data. This information will help us better assess and understand the needs of Rowan County, our local nonprofits, and our neighbors from the West who are relocating here.
Additionally, the United Way will be at the event continuing their effort to find cold weather clothing, either new or gently used, to send toward the mountains. Items needed include coats of any kind, sweaters or sweatshirts, winter socks and gloves. UW’s Ali Edwards said, “Just about anything warm will help. I will be there to collect any donated items.”
Then we move on to the St. Matthews 5K at the church located at 9275 Bringle Ferry Road on Saturday, October 26th. This rural course uses country roads while the race benefits several community and church members with severe medical issues.
The next day, Sunday, October 27th, brings Halloween fun at the long-running Spooky Sprint 5K and Fun Run. Held at Catawba College’s Shuford Stadium, the 5K will use a new course that includes the soccer/softball complex and the greenway out to the Crescent area and back. Runners, walkers and fun runners can all compete in a festive costume contest following the race and just ahead of the awards ceremony. This race benefits Rowan Rotary community projects with an emphasis on youth.
November races include the Clean Water 5K on the 9th at Grace Lutheran Church, then the Girls on the Run 5K at Salisbury Community Park on the 16th. We close out the month with the fast-growing Butterball 5K at The Forum on Thanksgiving Day, November 28th.
Look for more information on all these races at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org
