SRR happenings have ramped up for a busy spring! As of this writing, we have just finished one of the best planned and most organized races on the schedule. The Mt. Hope Missions 5K and Fun Run completed its 10th year event with a fun time at Salisbury Community Park on May 29th and a record crowd of runners and walkers on a beautiful day. 

On Thursday, March 27th, SRR’s team worked the Rowan County Special Olympics for adults and older students at Catawba College. This has been a long-time tradition for the club and will continue on April 10th with the competition for the other students at West Rowan High School. It’s thrilling to be a part of the amazing event and to facilitate the timing and scoring of the running events. 

The Rowan Helping Ministries Walk Club is now in its fourth week and gathering more participants as we proceed. Club members have helped provide shoes for those participants. The third week’s walk was held in the light rain. Our club volunteers include Amanda Lewis, Connie Hoffner, Lynn Furr, Matthew Weaver and Charleen Allegrezza. The walk club will conclude its spring class on April 26th. 

The BRC class is also in its fourth week. SRR has 16 new members with the class again held at the Salisbury PD. Club volunteers so far include Connie Hoffner, Luann Fesperman, Tisha Corriher, Patrick Smith, Amanda Lewis, Matthew Weaver, Steve Combs, Pam Roseman, Mechelle Kuld and Steve (“I thought they had food”) Clark. The spring BRC class will conclude on April 29th. 

Looking ahead, today’s race at the West Rowan Bible Teacher’s 5K and Fun Run is one of the largest 5K’s in recent county history and kicks off our April races in a big way. It is also held on one of the fastest courses in the county. The race supports the Bible teachers’ salary and benefits in the west area since the state does not fund them. 

Next week on April 12th, we have the Family Crisis Council One in 5K and Fun Run at Salisbury Community Park. The name signifies that one in five women will face sexual violence during their lifetime. Since 1978, Family Crisis Council of Rowan has provided services such as emergency shelter, hospital accompaniment, court advocacy, case management and counseling to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, incest, and human trafficking in Rowan County. 

May is full of quality races, kicked off by the Teens With a Mission 5K for First Presbyterian Church on May 2nd, followed by the Girls on the Run 5K on May 3rd. Next comes the China Grove Main Street Challenge on Friday night, May 9th. Then it is on to the Ed Dupree 5K on May 17th. Last for the month is SRR’s own Chillin’ to the Bare Bones 5K. All these races have fun runs too. Note that the TWAM 5K and Bare Bones 5K will be headquartered at Overton Elementary School while the new Knox school is under construction. 

Here is the first official announcement of new and special things for Bare Bones. Long-time race director Wayne Crowder, known recently for his management in absentia, will this year actually be on hand for the race. Also recognized as one of the best runners ever in NC, Crowder is only one of the major drawing cards for Bare Bones. The other is that Crowder will provide post-race ice cream to all runners, walkers, volunteers and sponsors on hand. 

Life is truly better in running shoes, so take advantage of spring weather and join us for these activities. I’ll see you on the roads!

David