Calvin Adkins
If you like exercising and you have the heart for helping the less fortunate, then the annual Movin’ for the Community Outreach 5K race is right for you.
Sponsored by Howard Memorial Presbyterian Church, the annual event is scheduled for 10 a.m. April 3 starting on Pitt Street.
But before the big race, children can get in on the fun at 9:30 a.m. with a one-block fun run. There is no cost for the kids.
The cost for participating in the 5k race is $17 dollars before March 26 and $20 after March 26. Participants can pre-register online at www.tcorun.com or print registration forms off the Web Site. Registration forms are also available at Ace Hardware store and Howard Presbyterian Church. The proceeds will go to Tarboro Community Outreach.
TCO operates a 26-man homeless shelter and provides more than 350 meals a week for the needy. TCO also operates a food pantry and offer furniture and clothing for the needy.
Howard Memorial has been one of the county’s front runners in assisting the shelter since it was created 28 years ago.
“Many of our members, especially Nancy Holderness, played a role in its creation (of TCO)” said the pastor of Howard Memorial Christopher Edmonston. “In terms of the race itself, one of our childhood members, Kevin Shaffer, combined his love for God, his concern for the TCO Shelter and Food Ministry, and his love of running and brought the idea and energy to us. We believe this is a wonderful way to rally our community and make a witness on behalf of those in need who are our neighbors every day.”
Nearly 150 runners from ages 10-86 rallied in last year’s race and the event raised $12,000. Edmonston would like to exceed last year’s participants and donations.
“We are hoping for a greater turnout stil,” he said. “All that we raise goes to TCO, so the more runners, walkers, strollers we have the more impact we can make for the impoverished in our community. I am hoping for more than 200 runners, walkers, and strollers – our best turnout yet. We are hoping that schools and companies will rally big or small teams and that this will boost the turnout.”
Edmonston doesn’t just talk the talk. For two years he has participated in the race. Last year he improved his time by six minutes. This year he is pushing for another improvement. Michael Earle won last year’s event with an outstanding time of 17:26.
“I am going to improve this year,” Edmonston said. “I improved about six minutes from year one to year two. I placed way down the list – way down. There are some fast runners around here. I played offensive tackle on the football team in high school and college. We offensive lineman are not known for foot speed. But no matter where I finish, I am going to have fun.”
Former TCO Board member Mears Pitt is also hoping to have “fun” on that day. Mears participated in both of the previous races. He also aides TCO in their fundraising efforts.
“Every year it gets easier to put on,” Pitt said. “Last year we had a little over 150 participants. This year we are expecting more. I am excited.”
