It’s spring break week, and we’re taking a little break around here before the coming “storm.” Of course, I’m referring to the Viking Half Marathon/5K on March 30.
We are so excited about this year’s 2nd annual race. We believe it will be bigger than last year’s race, which boasted more than 650 runners. We also have a few new tweaks that we are working on to make the race experience better.
As I was looking over the Chamber’s yearly calendar for 2013, it dawned on me that we do four events that revolve around exercise. These events are the Viking Half Marathon, our annual Chamber Golf Scramble, Bikes, Blues & Bayous and the 300 Oaks Road Races. Coincidence? Maybe not. We’re perhaps trying to incorporate healthy events into our community activities to encourage this community to get more healthy. Statistically, we come from the most unhealthy region in the most unhealthy state in the country.
What does that say about us? We all need to get up and get moving!
Perhaps you are not a runner. That’s OK. We still want to encourage you to come out and walk the 5K this year. You can sign up for the 5K at www.vikinghalfmarathon.com. You’ll receive the same race amenities as the runners. And, you’ll spend a beautiful Saturday morning doing something good for yourself. Walking is great exercise, and we encourage you to come out and participate. The great thing is, you’ll have hundreds of others alongside you pushing you to the finish line. We’ll have some great water stops and spirit groups along the race route to cheer you on. You’ll receive a t-shirt and great food following the race down on Main/Front Street.
This year’s awards are very unique and very Greenwood-specific. And as always, all finishers of the half marathon will receive a finisher medal.
We do need some more volunteers for various areas of the race, including backup timers and data entry at the finish line, beverage organization at the post-race awards party, clean-up crew and help giving out awards. If you can help in any of these areas, please contact the chamber at 453-4152. An event of this magnitude takes the entire community, and we sure could use your help. All volunteers will get a great volunteer t-shirt and enjoy the post-race activities and food. I would like to thank our sponsors of this race: Viking Range Corporation, Greenwood-Leflore Hospital, Wade Inc., the Hampton Inn of Greenwood, Capital City Beverage, GE Commercial Aviation Services, Crystal Health and Rehabilitation, Greenwood Coca-Cola, Double Quick, Webster’s, Compass Pointe Apartments, The Fresh Laundry, AMG Integrated Healthcare Management, Larry’s Fish House, Domino’s Pizza, Honest Abe’s, Greenwood Marketplace, Cannon Motor Company, the city of Greenwood and the Greenwood Convention and Visitors Bureau. Without these sponsors, this event would not be possible. Also, if you live along the race route and would be willing to have a spirit group available to cheer on the runners, please let us know. We need as many folks as possible lining the race route that morning to show off our Greenwood hospitality. Happy racing!
• Beth Stevens is the executive director of the Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce. Contact her at chamberevp@bellsouth.net.
