November races include Allison Butler 5K, Farmers Parade 5K

2 of 3 events to aid Richmond County Animal Advocates

By Kevin Spradlin
PeeDeePost.com

There are three footraces scheduled for this month, and two of them remain open for registration.

Only the Derby 50K, a 31.5-mile footrace set for Saturday, Nov. 29 that features three 10.5-mile loops that start and finish the Derby Community Building on Jones Spring Church Road, is closed.

Registration is open for both the second running of the Allison Butler Memorial 5K, a two-loop trail course at Hinson Lake in Rockingham that is set for Saturday, Nov. 8, and the inaugural Farmers Parade 5K in Ellerbe scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 22.

Allison Butler Memorial 5K

The event already has nearly nearly 70 pre-registered runners and walked, said race organizer Michael Butler, including “a huge contingent from Rockingham Middle School.”

Submitted photo Kyle Butler won last year's inaugural Allison Butler Memorial 5K run at Hinson Lake.

Submitted photo
Kyle Butler won last year’s inaugural Allison Butler Memorial 5K run at Hinson Lake.

Earlier this week, Butler said the school’s running club had 26 registered runners participating. Butler said the event is down slightly from the number of pre-registered participants this time last year but he’s not worried. The weather is near-perfect: the forecast calls for a morning low of 40 degrees, sunny with a daytime high of 65. The 5K begins promptly at 10 a.m. Arrive early for race-day registration.

New this year is the Doggie Dash, a 1-mile, out-and-back course. Though registration for that event was originally $15, sponsorship from Rocking Trends Consignment and Boutique took care of that. Registration for the Doggie Dash is now free, and if you don’t have a dog, runners or walkers can borrow one from Richmond County Animal Advocates. The Doggie Dash is an untimed event.

“The number of dogs (available) depends on the number of volunteers we have coming,” said Allison Sweatt, RCAA executive director. “We definitely need extra hands for that. I’m hoping for the fosters to bring any dogs they have. I’m touching base with everyone (Tuesday) to see who can bring what.”

Some dogs, Sweatt said, are on heart worm treatment and unable to run. But there’s still Tripod, “a few of Ray’s dogs and hopefully a big lab. Most of these are mixed breeds.”

Awards in the Doggie Dash are to the top three canines and their human companions. The 5K, meanwhile, will recognize the top overall male and female and Masters (40-plus) top three male and female in the following age groups: 9-and-under, 10-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70-plus.

In addition, special awards will be bestowed upon the oldest and youngest finishers.

Last year’s first-year effort attracted 109 5K finishers. Kyle Butler, 26, won in 18 minutes and 27 seconds while Rosemary Baxley, of Hamlet, led the women’s field in 24:51.

Packet pick-up and race-day registration begins at 8 a.m. on race morning until 9:45 a.m. The 5K begins at 10 a.m.

Farmers Day 5K

The annual Farmers Parade has been a regional draw in Ellerbe for years. This year, Councilwoman Jean Fletcher wanted to add a 5K (3.1-mile) run and walk to the mix. Click here for entry form.

The event will start promptly at 8 a.m. at Town Hall and after traversing town roads, participants will travel out Page Street to a turnaround point at Marvin McCaskill Road and back to Town Hall. Race-day registration begins at 7:30 a.m. at Town Hall.

Fletcher said she and Ellerbe runner Sheri Caulder — who, at age 51, established the fastest Ellerbe Marathon finish by a Richmond County female runner age 40 and over in 5 hours, 8 minutes and 30 seconds — wanted to add a another activity for visitors to Ellerbe to enjoy, whether as participants or spectators.

Derby 50K

The event is one of three races that are 26.2 miles or longer. The other two include the Bethel Boogie Moonlight 50-miler in June and the Hinson Lake 24-Hour Ultra Classic in September. Both the Derby 50K and the Hinson Lake ultra are organized by the Mangum Track Club.

The Derby 50K field was capped at 100 runners. Race director Mark Long is currently maintaining a wait list of at least three runners.

Runners are encouraged to bring donations for Richmond County Animal Advocates.

Last year, Andrew MacIntyre, 30, of Durham, led 84 runners to the finish line in 4 hours, 6 minutes and 18 seconds. Dominique Stasulli, 22, of Lillington, was second overall and first female in 4:10:16.

 

Stasulli, Dominique Lillington NC 22 F X 4.10.
Filed in: Latest Headlines, Outdoors, Sports

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