Annual Firecracker Run set for Saturday
Runners and walkers of all ages are invited to participate in the 13th Annual Firecracker Run on Saturday. Hosted by the Park Hills-Leadington Chamber of Commerce, the event normally draws people from all over the Parkland.
“We typically have anywhere from 150 to 200 participants for this,” said Tammi Coleman, the chamber’s executive director. “And it brings in folks from all over — a lot of the high schools from several different areas will send their track athletes down to this as a kind of practice — so yeah, it’s a pretty big deal.”
All the proceeds from the event will be used to help fund the Park Hills-Leadington Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Program. Entering its third year, every spring a total of $2,000 in scholarship money is awarded to a local student.
Eligible candidates are graduating seniors at Central High School with a grade point average of 3.5 or above who plan to attend college at one of the three local campuses — Mineral Area College or the Park Hills campus for Central Methodist University or Missouri Baptist University.
“This and the Sweetheart Trivia are the two events that fund the scholarship program,” said Coleman.
The event on June 25 will begin at 8 a.m. at Central High School, located at 116 Rebel Drive in Park Hills. Registration and check-in will start at 7 a.m.
“The races start in front of the high school in the parking lot,” Coleman said, “and then they run or walk all over town and then end back at the parking lot. … Usually the scouts put up flags down Main Street for us because it’s part of the course.”
The 1-mile run and 1-mile walk are slated to start at 8 a.m. The 5K walk will begin following the start of the 1-mile races. The 5K run will start after the 1-mile run ends.
Each mile will be marked along the route; for specific course details, check with the chamber office.
The Cape Road Runners organization will be the official timekeepers for those participating in the running events. Walkers will not be timed.
“One of the new things for this year is the ability to register and pay online,” said Coleman. “We’ve never had that before, so any participants that want to can go ahead and go online and get the discounted fee.”
The event entry fee for those who sign up during the early registration period, which ends Friday is $15 per person or $35 per family.
Coleman said up to five people can be signed up as a family for the $35 early registration fee and that the discount is available through the day before the event.
Entry fees for those who sign up on race day is $18 per person. No discounts will be available the day of the event.
Another benefit of registering early is the chance to get a free Firecracker Run T-shirt. The first 150 entrants will receive a shirt.
Visit the chamber website at www.phlcoc.net to register, or take your payment to the chamber office located at 12 Municipal Dr. in Park Hills.
Employees who work for organizations and businesses that offer wellness incentives for participating in healthy activities such as running and walking may want to consider participating in the event.
Coleman said chamber and event volunteers will be happy to sign the forms verifying participation in the run or walk competitions on race day.
All ages are welcome to participate. Walkers and runners will be divided into the following age groups: under 8; 8 to 10; 11 to 13; 14 to 16; 17 to 19; 20 to 29; 30 to 39; 40 to 49; 50 to 59 and 60 and up.
Awards will be presented to the top overall male and female competitors and to the top three male and female participants per category in the running events.
Everyone who finishes the walking events will receive a participation ribbon.
For additional information call 573-431-1051, send an email to info@phlcoc.net, or visit www.phlcoc.net.
th Annual Firecracker Run on Saturday. Hosted by the Park Hills-Leadington Chamber of Commerce, the event normally draws people from all around the Parkland. Pictured are competitors from last year’s 5K race. ” width=”800″ /> Runners and walkers of all ages are invited to participate in the 13th Annual Firecracker Run on Saturday. Hosted by the Park Hills-Leadington Chamber of Commerce, the event normally draws people from all around the Parkland. Pictured are competitors from last year’s 5K race. Amy Patterson is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-518-3616 or apatterson@dailyjournalonline.com.
