Runners take off during the annual FishHawk Ranch Road Race hosted by Newland Communities. The mid-February event will consist of a 5K, 10K and Kid’s Race benefiting area schools.
As it has been the case for the past decade and a half, the stage is set and preparations are nearly complete for the15th Annual FishHawk Ranch Road Race, scheduled to be held on Saturday, February 18, 2012.
Hosted by FishHawk Ranch by Newland Communities, the race will begin at 8 a.m., for adults and 9:30 a.m., for children at the community park square, located at 16144 Churchview Dr. in Lithia and will consist of a chip-timed 5K, 10K and a 1-mile Kid’s Race.
While the well-organized and rather popular event caters to both young and old, new and experienced veterans or serious runners, it is much more than just about running as it brings together local families who have made the race a tradition as well as those that enjoy coming to FishHawk Ranch each year to take part in the challenge.
According to race coordinator Lynda McMorrow, the event is actually the perfect forum to benefit area schools.
“This race is all about the students as the proceeds benefit our community schools, such as Bevis , FishHawk Creek, and Stowers Elementary, along with Randall and Barrington Middle Schools and Newsome High School,” McMorrow said.
Emphasizing the event’s long and quite successful history and its benefit to the community, McMorrow explained that the race annually draws more than 1,000 participants, a number that event organizers hope to out do this year.
“Every year our number of participants increases because it is truly a great event for folks of all ages and abilities,” she said, adding that thanks to last year’s race, every school received a check for $3,000. while the FishHawk Ranch Road Runners received $1,000 for their scholarship fund in exchange for their race day services.
Keeping with the tradition, organizers will supply race shirts for the first 500 adults and 100 kids registered, while race packets will be available for pick up as early as Friday February 15, from 1 – 7 p.m., at 15921 Courtside View Drive.
Registration for adults (5k) or (10K) is $25 in advance and $30 day-of-race, while for children $15.
While the recent increase of new homes and construction in the area somewhat alters the parking options, runners and visitors can take advantage of parking available at the Town Center as well as the Palmetto Club and the Aquatic Club. Email McMorrow at lmcmorrow@newlandco.com or Jill Harris at jharris@newlandco.com. To register, visit www.FishHawkRanch.com, or call 685-7500.
