In case you didn’t know, we have a big race coming up on March 30 here in Greenwood. It’s the second annual Viking Half Marathon and 5K race.
We want as many community folks to participate as possible.
Wait, you say. I can’t run a half marathon! I can’t even run a 5K!
That’s no problem! We are inviting the community to come out and walk the 5K race. We don’t have an official “walk” category, but we will have a start line for walkers right behind the 5K runners.
We’re doing this as part of our effort this year to encourage a more healthy community.
The good news is you can walk the 5K at your own pace and still receive the same race amenities as the half-marathon and 5K runners, which include a T-shirt, free food, live entertainment at the post-race party and a chance to get healthy.
We encourage you to get a group of your friends, family members or co-workers together and come out and walk the 5K route. The half marathon and 5K will take you through the streets of downtown Greenwood, and the last mile includes a scenic route down River Road on the Yazoo River. It’s a great way to spend a beautiful Saturday morning in late March. And, it’s a great opportunity to kick-start or continue your efforts to get healthy.
Even if you’ve never walked that far before, it can be done. We will have spirit groups and water stations all along the way to encourage you and refresh you.
All you have to do to get started is to simply visit the website, www.vikinghalfmarathon.com and register for the 5K race. There’s no separate walk category, but just be sure that when you show up for the race on March 30, you line up on the “walk” start line behind the runners.
And, if you register before Feb. 15, you’ll be entered in a drawing to win one of three Viking 9-speed digital mixers that we are giving away.
Wouldn’t that be a great prize?
Last year, our inaugural event brought more than 650 runners and walkers to Greenwood, and we’re expecting even more this year.
We encourage you to spread the word, come out and get healthy with us.
A special thanks to our Viking Half Marathon/5K sponsors: Viking Range Corporation, Capital City Beverage, Hampton Inn of Greenwood, Greenwood Leflore Hospital, Wade Inc., Greenwood Convention and Visitors Bureau, GE Commercial Aviation Services, Crystal Health and Rehabilitation, Double Quick/Church’s Chicken, Webster’s, The Fresh Laundry, Compass Pointe Apartments, Cannon Motor Company, 4-Way Electric and Coca-Cola/Dasani.
If you are interested in being a sponsor of this event, we still have room for a few more race sponsors. Contact the chamber for sponsorship information.
Also, we need spirit/cheer groups throughout the race route. If you are interested in hosting a spirit/cheer group, please let us know as soon as possible.
Don’t forget: Go sign up for the race today. Let’s get fit, Greenwood!
• Beth Stevens is the executive director of the Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce. Contact her at chamberevp@bellsouth-.net.
