Costumes encouraged; dogs welcome to join
There will be a couple of changes in Eufaula’s third annual 5K Green Run, set to begin at 9 a.m. Saturday starting at the Xtreme Amphitheater.
For one, this year Lake Country Fitness becomes the backer of the St. Patrick’s Day – themed event which had been promoted by the city in years past.
“We were approached by the city to take over the Green Run,” said Lake Country Manager Shanna Streets-Covey.
Secondly, the run will raise funds for a local charity.
Shanna thought the project would be a good opportunity to help the community.
“This is not a fundraiser for the gym,” she said. “We aren’t going to benefit from it. We’ve poured quite a bit into this.”
Each year, Lake Country will select a different community charity to help.
Any money not used to fund the event will be donated to the charitable organization, with the recipient changing each year.
This year the proceeds will go to the Homeless Outreach Program of Eufaula (H.O.P.E.).
H.O.P.E. Director Kim Woodruff said the non-profit group was formed two years ago to help either the local homeless or people who have been stranded in Eufaula.
“We don’t have a lot of resources in Eufaula,” she said. “We rely on donations.”
Although Eufaula doesn’t seem to have a large homeless population, there are a lot of “couch surfers” who stay temporarily at the homes of friends or relatives.
“They need help getting on their feet,” Kim said.
A donation from the Green Run could be a big benefit to H.O.P.E.
“It could help us actually have a program that gets people to where they need to be and ease their suffering for a day,” she said.
The idea is to provide transportation to a location that can help them such as McAlester, Muskogee or Tulsa.
Shanna said the police are limited in what they can do to help the stranded and the homeless. They can’t take them out of the city.
“We’re trying to fill that gap, maybe funds to offer transportation so they are stuck here,” she said.
Another change to this year’s race is an increased effort to get more families to come to the race and to bring their dog.
Lake Dog and Their People owner Shari Wilkins is sponsoring a Pet Run.
“The Green Run is a great community event, very healthy, and we want to get dogs involved too,” she said. “If you register your dog in the race, either the fun run or 5K, we will give you a dog bandana and a dog treat.”
She is also sponsoring a dog costume contest.
“Even if you aren’t a runner, come out and enjoy the fun,” she said.
Other than a couple of changes, the Green Run is pretty much the same, including a costume contest for runners with the best St. Patrick’s Dayoriented attire.
A chip in the bib runners wear helps time the race, which begins at the Xtreme theater, goes down Lakeshore Drive and back again.
When runners reach the finish line waiting for them will be water, fruit, veggies, high protein foods, live music and vendors.
Trophies will be awarded for first through third place for all age divisions.
Trophies for runners and winners of the costume contests will be announced following the race.
“The 5K is a USATF Certified 5K sanctioned race,” Shanna said. “It can help people get ready for other runs.”
Cost to enter the 5K is $30; for the one-mile Fun Run it is $25; dogs enter for free.
More than 150 runners have signed up for the event.
Shanna hopes to see the event grow. She wants it to be a community event.
“Who knows, maybe one year we can have a parade,” she said.
One other change this year, Tavern 9 on Main Street is one of the top sponsors.
“At the end of the race, runners who come to the Tavern and show their bib will get 10 percent off on their purchases,” Shanna said. “And green beer will be available.”
