Todd Smoot
Independence Day in the United States is celebrated in many fashions, including picnics, parades, ceremonies, outdoor activities, fireworks and, in many places like Valdosta, a road race event. Independence Day is quickly approaching – only 10 weeks away.
For the past three years, Valdostans and many people throughout the Southeast have participated in a road race event known as the Baytree 8K. This event has grown over the years and raised over $9,000 for the Valdosta/Lowndes Veterans Council and has become a tradition. A success in every sense of the word.
This year, all the successes of the Baytree 8K will be rolled into a new event to continue the tradition. The new event has been named the Valdosta 5K. This new event continues to raise funds for the Valdosta/Lowndes Veterans Council, a unique event that is open to all runners and walkers in the Southeast and beyond. The changes include eliminating the hills of Baytree Road, taking away the baking sun towards the end of the event, shortening a distance that seems too far for many and eliminating the potential of a rogue train interrupting the event. The Valdosta 5K offers the gentle rolling terrain and shaded tree-lined route of Patterson Street. The new 5K distance of the event agrees to many more people than the five-mile distance of before. From an event production stand point, not having to worry about train track crossings allows me to sleep at night. The areas that could use some tweaking from the past have been tweaked, and the tradition continues.
This event encourages walkers, joggers, runners and any combination of the three to be a part. The invitation is to anyone who can complete the distance of just over three miles. There are events throughout the year that are just for walkers or just runners, but big-time events encourage all active people to be involved. The Valdosta 5K will be a big-time event.
This event is a wonderful way to start your Independence Day weekend, certainly one of our great patriotic holidays. While participating, you are also supporting our local veterans, since proceeds from the event are donated to the Lowndes Veterans Council. This organization encompasses all the various veterans groups and assists them all. Through the participants and sponsors in the first two editions, $9,000 has been donated and more will be this year, too.
The event recognizes veterans and active military participants through using the race numbers each participant wears. In this fashion, it is very easy to know if a person is a veteran or active military. Part of the pre-start ceremony includes the presentation of the American Flag through an honor guard, the singing of our national anthem and sharing the information for all to know who are veterans and active military in the event. As the participants follow the course, spectators can cheer all the participants along, and thank the veterans.
Awards will be handled differently from years past. Awards will be presented in the finish chute to the top 20 male and female finishers. The first male and female overall, the first masters runners and top veteran will be recognized and receive prize money at a short ceremony at 8:15 a.m. on the west side of the courthouse. The final results will be calculated and printed, along with all of the grand prix points that runners will be vying for. The Valdosta 5K is the third of five grand prix events in the 2009 series.
The event course starts on North Ashley Street, in front of Get Active – Running and More. The walkers and runners travel the length of Patterson Street to the Benny’s Alley, found between Central Avenue and Hill Avenue. This is a point-to-point course – unique to the area, but found regularly throughout the country. A huge event done on the same day in the same state is also a point-to-point event – The Peachtree Road Race.
Make plans to be a part of this annual event on one of our greatest patriotic days. Applications are available at Get Active – Running and More, or go on the Web at www.getactivevaldosta.com, click on the “contact us” button and send an e-mail requesting an application, and one while be forwarded immediately.
On Thursday evenings, listen to Talk 92.1 FM for the radio program that will offer an interview with recognized experts concerning the benefits of an active lifestyle. This Thursday, be listening and call in with your questions. In the meantime, start a program to be proactive and preventative – rather than reactive. Listen in and become involved on Talk 92.1 FM between 6-7 p.m. You will learn from this program.
The Valdosta Grand Prix circuit for 2009 started on Jan. 1 and continues throughout the year. There are five events throughout the year: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day and Thanksgiving Day. In each of these events, points can be earned towards overall and age group categories. Four of the five events will have an entry fee of $5 and a cap for a family of $20; however, no t-shirts will be offered. Awards will be given out to overall, masters and the top two in each of 16 age groups, both male and female. The way the points are awarded should keep everyone close in the standings. Be a part of the 2009 Valdosta Grand Prix. In conjunction with this grand prix is one designed for the younger folks who run the 1-mile events. Get the family involved in either the 5K or 1-mile events – you will feel the difference.
May 2 – Dewar Elementary School is presenting a 5K and 1-mile run – and there is a challenge to all the schools in the area to have more participants than Dewar. This event is open to all runners and walkers in the area of all ages – they have a tot trot, too. Applications are out. Finish line presented by Valdosta’s own A Course/Line, LLC.
May 9 – Colony Chase 5K in Fitzgerald. Finish line presented by Valdosta’s own A Course/Line, LLC.
May 16 – Sunrise Rotary 5K will be held in Valdosta. Applications are out. Finish line presented by Valdosta’s own A Course/Line, LLC.
May 25 – The second event of the Get Active Grand Prix will be presented with a 5K and 1500-meter run (the metric mile). Only $5 per entry. Applications are available now. Finish line presented by Valdosta’s own A Course/Line, LLC.
June 6 – The Child Advocacy Center presents the second annual Run for the Children 5K in Valdosta. Finish line presented by Valdosta’s own A Course/Line, LLC.
July 4 – The Valdosta 5K is the new and only Independence Day running event in Valdosta, continuing the tradition. The Valdosta 5K is part of the Valdosta Grand Prix circuit. Finish line presented by Valdosta’s own A Course/Line, LLC.
If you have questions about your walking, running or other training, drop me an e-mail, and I will do my level best to answer your questions. Check out www.getactivevaldosta.com to get connected. Become a member of the GetActiveSouthGeorgia yahoo group with over 133 other people. Listen to the Get Active radio program on Thursday evenings from 6-7 p.m. on Talk 92.1 FM to receive additional information or to ask questions.
