Club’s ‘Run for Kids’ set for Saturday

Published 12:40 am Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Coterie Club’s ninth annual “Run for Kids” set for Saturday includes events for people of all ages and fitness levels.

The fun begins at 9 a.m. with a 5K run/walk. Men and women will compete in 12 age categories, with trophies for the top three in each age category.

Run coordinator Debbie Maraman said walkers are welcome to participate in all of the events.

“We have a few who walk the race,” she said. “In the past we’ve had more walkers than in the last couple of years.”

The 5K route begins at First United Methodist Church, goes along East Three Notch, and turns toward the high school, she said. The route turns through the neighborhood and ends at city hall. Registration is $15. Those who pre-register may do so for $12.

A one-mile youth fun run/walk called “Meredith’s Mile” is set for 10 a.m. and is open to ages 3 to 16. Participants are divided into seven age groups, and males and females in each division will receive trophies. All youth participants will receive medals.

This route begins at CCB Community Bank’s parking lot, continues along East Three Notch to First Baptist, turns left to College Street, and makes a rectangle back to city hall.

Registration for Meredith’s Mile is $12 on Saturday. Pre-registration is $10.

The Tot Trot is open to children ages 0 to 4 and will be run behind city hall. There is no participation charge, but there is a $10 charge for T-shirts. All participants will receive a ribbon.

Traditionally, the event has begun on the court square, but Maraman said it was moved to city hall this year because of the preparation that will be under way for Saturday night’s Halloween on the Square.

Race-day registration begins at 7 a.m. at city hall. Pre-registration is set for 5 until 9 Friday night at the Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce office.

Coterie Club members also are selling $1 chances to win $250.

The Coterie Club uses proceeds of the event to fund charities related to children. Last year’s event raised $12,000, and the club has raised a total of $82,280 over the past eight years.

Among the organizations receiving annual contributions from the Coterie Club are Andalusia City Schools, Covington County Schools, Covington County Junior Miss, Opportunity House, Meredith’s Miracles, Relay for Life, City and County Sports Scholarships, Elementary Teacher Scholarships, Community Christmas, Camp Smile-A-Mile, Camp ASCCA and Covington Arts Council.

Gold sponsors of the event are the Urology Clinic of South Alabama, LLC and the City of Andalusia.

Silver sponsors are Roger’s Refrigeration and Electrical Services; Robert B. Bowen, M.D.; Balanced Family Health Care, Inc.; Covington County Bank; Rabren, Odom, Pierce and H ayes, P.C.; Covington Electric Cooperative; Darby’s Village Pharmacy; Andalusia Regional Hospital; Dr. Kimberly Thomas Ward, DMD, MPH, MS; Gitty-Up-N-Go; Southeast Alabama Gas District; and Jade Homes.