Green Gearing Up For 5K Classic
Race for a Reason in its 11th editionBy RICK THORP
With about one month remaining until the Debbie Green Memorial 5K Run/Walk for Leukemia, one might think race director Ron Green is scrambling to get everything organized.
Actually, Green has everything pretty much in place for the 11th annual event, which will take to the streets of downtown Wheeling Friday, Aug. 1 and Saturday, Aug. 2.
''We're on a good pace registration-wise,'' Green said. ''But it's really early yet.''
''I have a set schedule I've been going with, and I haven't varied from that schedule at all.''
The ''Race for a Reason'' is staged annually in memory of Green's sister, Debbie, who died in 1972 after fighting a courageous two-year battle with leukemia. Throughout the event's existence, funds generated have helped numerous youngsters throughout the Ohio Valley battling the disease.
Race weekend begins at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1 with the Green Mile Run/Walk. This year's event will be dedicated to Lou DiFilippo, who competed and supported the race until his death last year.
''During last year's race, he did part of it in a wheelchair and ran the other part,'' Green recalled.
''It was the last race he ever did.
''We will be retiring a race number in his memory.''
Race organizers will also be retiring another number in memory of Rob ''Duck'' Kemp, the 2001 race beneficiary who lost his battle against cancer earlier this year.
''He was a big part of the race during the last seven years,'' Green said.
The slate for Saturday, Aug. 2 begins with the Debbie's Dash - a 100-yard dash for kids age 9 and under - at 5:30 p.m.
This will be followed by the main event - the 5K run and walk - at 7 p.m.
Green said all 5K participants will receive three T-shirts - an original 5K T-shirt, a T-shirt in memory of Kemp, and a long-sleeve T-shirt.
Those who place will receive a race hat and a medallion.
For more information on the race, or to register, contact Green at (740) 859-0704.
