Todd Smoot
The Get Active Grand Prix circuit that started in 2009 on New Year’s Day is about to offer the second event in the series. This grand prix circuit consists of five events throughout the year.
People who participate in at least three of the events will be in the hunt for additional awards offered at the end of the year function. The five events will occur on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day and Thanksgiving Day. All of the events, except the Valdosta 5K on Independence Day, will be a no-frills, no t-shirt, low cost events. In four of the events, the race entry fee will be $5 per person, with a cap of $20 for a family.
Points will be earned by participants in each of the events, depending on your overall place and age group place. Awards will be given at each event and at the end of the series for the Grand Prix winners. Age groups will range from 11-under to 80-plus in 16 different categories. More information is available now for the asking. Registration forms, timing and other information will be offered through this weekly article, radio on Talk 92.1 FM, at Get Active – Running and More and e-mail if you send a request to getactive.val@earthlink.net.
The Memorial Day 5K is the second event in the Grand Prix, and will be run on Monday, May 25, starting at 8 a.m. – Memorial Day. The course for this event starts near the corner of Baytree and Azalea Drive at the old S.L. Mason School. The runners will travel Azalea Drive, take a left turn on Cranford Avenue, a right turn on White Oak Drive, a right turn on Azalea Circle, a left turn on Azalea Drive, a right turn on Gornto Road, a right turn on Georgia Avenue, a left on Clyde Avenue, a right on New Bern Street, a left on Park, Avenue, a right on Michael Terrace, a right on Cranford, a right on Georgia Avenue, a left on Cary Street and a left on Azalea Drive, finishing at the old S.L. Mason School. This is a fast course, so be ready to run a personal best for the 5K distance.
The Valdosta 5K will be held on Saturday, July 4 starting at 7:15 a.m. It will be here before you know it. This event is perfect for families to start a yearly tradition of starting Independence Day off on the right foot.
Events like these are available throughout the year as a means to help motivate people. The health of you and your family will not improve if you stay on the sidelines or sit in the stands watching others. Be a part of the solution and get in the game. Ask your family physician the benefits of exercise and proper diet. Trust me, if a 5-foot-9, 205-pound guy at the age of 43 can make up his mind to make a difference in his life and slim down to 140 pounds through exercise and proper diet in a little over a year, you can, too. It takes time, commitment, work and patience to achieve the goal. These are attributes every person has, but you are the one that has to call on them – to make a difference in your life and the lives of your family.
While you are at it, check with you family physician, cardiologist and health insurance salesperson – it is less costly on the family finances to be a healthy, fit person than any alternative. In these days of tightening the family budget belt, being healthy is something you can do for yourself to save money.
Are you up for the challenge?
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.
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 a 1500-meter run (the metric mile). Make plans now to participate in the event on Memorial Day in Valdosta. It’s only $5 per entry, and 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.
July 16 – Barnes 100 Years 5K, a new event, celebrating 100 years of service Barnes has offered the Valdosta area. Applications will be out within the week. Enjoy the extras the event offers participants.
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.
