January 26, 2009 - Gulf Shores, AL -
Runners are once again getting ready to take to the streets of Gulf Shores Feb. 14th for the 8th Annual Sweetheart Run and Walk, which will raise funds for worthy causes in our area, including the Association of Retarded Citizens of Baldwin County, Gulf Coast Arts Council, Boy Scout Troop 49 in Gulf Shores and the Gulf Shores High School and Foley High School track teams. Sponsored by the L.A. Fleet Feet Running Club of Gulf Shores, the event has raised more than $55,000 for various civic, charitable and athletic organizations in the area since its inception in 2002.
Sweetheart 2008 Starting Line
(Click on image for larger view.)
Race Directors, Bruce Bankston said there will be many changes implemented this year to make it the biggest and best Sweetheart Run ever. After last year’s record turnout, organizers decided that the Sweetheart Run had outgrown its current operation and changes needed to be made to accommodate the increasing number of runners. Throughout the year the Sweetheart Run Committee worked to make this vision a reality.
One substantial change is that this year’s run will be expanded to include a 10K run in addition to the 5K run/walk and 1 mile fun run. The USATF certified race route will begin behind the Gulf Shores Steamer on West 1st Avenue next to Souvenir City and will run along the Lagoon before returning to the finish line at the Public Beach in front of the Hangout, where the race will end. The post-run party will include free food, beverages and live entertainment, provided by The Hangout, who is a major sponsor of this year’s run.
Furthermore, LA Fleet Feet is raising the notch for this year’s race by outsourcing the scoring to Events Timing of Destin, FL, a professional events scoring agency. “This will allow scoring to be done more quickly and efficiently after the run” stated Richard Dickson, chairman of the race committee and assistant Race Director. This year the awards ceremony will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m.
Trophies will be awarded in numerous age categories ranging from 10 and younger to 75 and older. “It’s a great event for the entire family. We have events for people of all ages,” Bankston said.
Bankston said along with entry fees, the primary funding source for the grants the group awards are sponsorships. There are three levels of sponsorship ranging from $250 for bronze level up to $1,000 for gold level. “A sponsorship will get your business name and logo on all race t-shirts and race promotional material. Last year over 500 people showed up on race day and they were all exposed to our sponsors’ names, products and services numerous times throughout the day.”
Times for the Run are as follows:
1 Mile Fun Run – 8:30 a.m.
5K/10K Run – 9:00 a.m.
Post-Race Party – Immediately following the race
Awards Ceremony – 10:00 a.m.
Registration may be completed through www.active.com or by mailing in the brochure (available on the LA Fleet Feet website – www.lafleetfeet.com) to L.A. Fleet Feet/Sweetheart Run, P.O. Box 3584, Orange Beach, AL 36561.
Registration Fees: (If postmarked by February 7th)
5K Run Sweetheart - $20.00
Race/Walk Sweetheart - $20.00
1 Mile Sweetheart Fun Run - $20.00
Late registration will take place on Friday, Feb. 13th from 5 until 7 p.m. at The Hangout. Late registration fee is $25. Bankston said participants may sign up the day of the race from 7:00 until 8:30 a.m. at the race site for a fee of $30.
The first 500 registrants to sign in on race day will receive a long sleeve Sweetheart Run t-shirt.
Awards will be given 3-deep in each age group in addition to overall winners, grand-master and master winners in several categories.
For more information please contact Bruce Bankston at 968-2055, Billy Thomason at 968-5611, or Richard Dickinson at 971-1030. E-mail inquiries to
sweetheartrun@aol.com.
8th Annual Sweetheart Run
