5K promotes fitness, benefits AHS track

As Dan Norton sets up the registration tables on a cloudy and humid Wednesday afternoon, people begin to pour into the Auburn High School parking lot in droves.

Volunteers begin assembling their workstations for the afternoon. They are preparing for the fourth week of the Summer 5K Series, a race and fundraiser that benefits the AHS cross country and track teams.

Originally started by the Auburn-Opelika Running and Track Association, the race is now maintained by the AHS Track and Booster Club.

The Summer 5K is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the AHS cross country and track team, said Norton, head coach of the boys' team.

"Funds raised benefit the athletes by helping fund entry fees, travel costs and equipment," he said. "You don't have to be a good runner. Whether it takes you 16 minutes or 60 minutes, everyone is encouraged to come out."

The race is a nine-week program, spanning June 4 to July 30 and

welcoming all willing participants from the surrounding area.

Registration starts at 5:30 p.m., and the 5K starts at 6:15 p.m.

The three-mile course—complete with flat and hilly grounds—starts at the high school, goes around Terrace Acres Circle, down Green Street to Eagle Circle, down East Samford Avenue, around Eagle Circle and back to Green Street before returning to the high school.

"This is an opportunity for all to partake in a local event, and it promotes fitness. Running is something you do your whole life," said Deb McDonald, a volunteer at the event who will be the physical education teacher at Richland Elementary School when the school opens in the fall.

The race also serves as a weekly social event for everyone involved. There are separate groups of children, teenagers and adults who stand

around before the race to talk and meet one another.

This is what lured race participant and Auburn resident Steven Speakman.

"I come because I have a lot of friends and I love the social scene," he said.

The children's race, a one-mile run around the field, starts at 5:50 p.m. There is no fee, but participants must be under 12.

The kid's race is a good opportunity for children to get much-needed exercise and make running a good habit that can stick with them.

"My dad wouldn't let me run the 5K," said 10-year-old Joseph Farrow, "so I had to do the 1-mile."

After the children's race ends, last-minute details are taken care of before the 5K starts. The water station is set up, the towels are put out, the popsicles are loaded and the traffic guards, complete with neon orange safety vests, report to their posts.

The volunteer staff mostly consists of parents who have children on the cross country or track teams.

"My sons run cross county. This is an awesome thing for families, because the young kids and the old can come run together, " said Kathleen Rourk, who says her main motivation for volunteering is her

two sons, who are on the team.

Time results from the previous week are posted and people try to get their last-minute stretches in before the race begins.

The transformation the runners make from normal, everyday locals, all from different backgrounds, to an amalgamated group with a common interest is remarkable. Morale is high and everyone is enthused.

After the race, the runners rush to get water and popsicles to cool off.

Speakman, who described himself as "very competitive," came in first place last week with a time of 18 minutes and 43 seconds. In second place with 19 minutes and 39 seconds was fellow Auburn resident Mike McCabe, who said he comes to run every week "to try and stay in shape, and it is also a great cause for the team."

At the end of the series, a prize is given to the top three overall male and female runners in six different age groups.

"This event is the only multi-week running competition in Auburn," Norton said. "It's a good opportunity to have a social network to stay physically fit."

Event organizers encourage locals to come out on Wednesday and participate in the festivities.

"This gets everyone out, it is great exercise, at a convenient time of day where it's not too hot and gives us locals a chance to meet one another," said parent volunteer Jenny Head.