West End Baptist Church to hold benefit 5K run/walk
Published 5:35 pm Thursday, September 3, 2015
By Whitney Denson | Special to the Advertiser
West End Baptist Church is hosting its second annual 5K race and “fun run/walk” to benefit the American Cancer Society.
The run will be held at the church, located at 2005 Second Ave. N. in Clanton, on Sept. 11.
Registration will begin at 7 a.m., with the timed 5K race kicking off at 8 a.m. and the “fun run/walk” starting at 9 a.m.
Home stretch: Cancer survivor Lilianna Thompson ran the one-mile “fun run” in last year’s race. She was diagnosed with AML in August 2011. (Contributed)
The first- and second-place runners in each category will receive a medal, as will the first, second and third overall winners.
Event organizers Sunny Mays and Renee Ousley said the categories will be determined once people have had the opportunity to register, and will be divided into groups based on gender and age.
Those participating in the “fun run/walk” will have the option of running or walking the one-mile course.
Mays said the church’s Relay For Life team began the event last year in an effort to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
“We had a pretty good turnout last year,” Mays said. “We’re hoping for even more people in the race and in the walk this year. The money has helped people in Chilton County and other places take care of expenses related to cancer.”
The American Cancer Society provides medications, transportation, wigs and many other necessary products and services to cancer patients, while also funding the research effort to cure and treat cancer.
“Throughout the year, we try to hold several events and fundraisers for Relay For Life,” Mays said. “We have a chili sale, spaghetti dinner, T-shirt sales and other things going on throughout the year. Cancer is a year-round problem, so the run helps us continue to raise money for the cause.”
Beginning at the church, the route will weave through Second Avenue and around the First United Methodist Church of Clanton to make a loop back to West End Baptist Church.
There are about 30 participants registered, according to Mays.
Registration is $25 for the 5K competition and $15 for the one-mile “fun run/walk.”
Registration forms can be found at West End Baptist Church, Home Printing, MorLyn’s Fine Jewelry, Cornerstone Fitness and Wellness, C & C Trophy, or online at www.webconline.org.
Forms and fees may be taken by or mailed to West End Baptist Church (2005 Second Avenue North, Clanton, AL 35045).
Those interested may also register at the church prior to the event on Sept. 11.
Door prizes were donated by various local businesses, and will be given away at the conclusion of the event.
“We’ll have music, prizes and water and fruit for the runners. It’s going to be a lot of fun,” Mays said.
For more information, contact Ousley at (205)351-1507.
