The innaugural Dawg Dash 5K Challenge will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday. The event will be held at Norris Elementary, the location of the old high school, at 511 Main Street in Thomson. The race will begin at the school, and the course will be through the neighborhood behind the school.
The cost to enter the race is $20. All interested participants are asked to fill out an entry form and sign a waiver, and turn it in to Brian Usry at Thomson-McDuffie Middle School. Any entry forms turned in after March 3 will not receive a T-shirt. On-site registration will be available the morning of the race, starting at 8 a.m. There is no age restriction on those wishing to register. All proceeds from the event will benefit the track team.
Approximately 25 participants have registered as of Monday. Track Coach Brian Usry said he hopes more will register this week or the morning of the event.
Usry said the idea for the Dawg Dash came from him and his wife.
“I’m always looking at ways to raise money for our kids and we thought this would be a great way to do it,” he said.
Usry said they are hoping to make this an annual event.
“I think it’s something positive for our community, and it benefits our track and field program financially,” he said. “We decided to have the event as a way to raise money for our track and field program. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to the track program to purchase items that are needed to improve the program.”
There will be no prizes awarded because this event is a fundraiser, Usry said. He said the prize is the accomplishment of completing the 5K.
Participants who register in advance will receive a T-shirt. Those who missed the date can still purchase a shirt for $5.
Usry said participants do not have to be runners. Anyone who is willing can come and participate just by walking.
“I would love for this event to be a success, and for this to become an annual event that the community embraces as well as expects,” Usry said.
“I just hope that people will turn out and support our student athletes, and that they have a good time participating in this event.”
To register for the event, you can go online at www.active.com or visit the school Web site.
Registration forms can be mailed to Thomson-McDuffie Middle School, 1191 White Oak Rd, Thomson, GA 30824, attn. track coach or can be turned in at the Thomson-McDuffie Middle School office.
