Tuesday, October 2, 2007by Alton Wallace
The 1st Annual Running Scared 5k race, a fundraiser to benefit the Hugh S. Branyon Backcoutry Trail, will be held Oct. 27 at 5:00 p.m. All proceeds will go to trail improvements, which will be implemented by the City of Orange Beach.
Participants can register for $20 and will receive a t-shirt, says Susan Shallow, one of the event’s organizers. “We are trying to raise awareness of the trail, and raise money for it,” Shallow said. “So far, the expenses have been covered by donations, but we can certainly use more help putting on this event. Every penny we raise will go for trail improvements.” Running Scared will be held on the trail, and will begin and end at the Orange Beach Sportsplex.
The first male and female to cross the finish line will win an awards package that includes a stay at a gulf-front luxury condominium. Runners finishing first in other categories will also receive prizes. Wheel chair racers may also participate. A post race party beginning at 6:30 will feature the music of Bluz Brothers II, food and refreshments.
Costumes are encouraged, and prizes will be awarded for creativity. For more information or to register for the race on-line, go to www.RunningScared5k.com. Those wishing to donate supplies for the post race party should call Susan Shallow at (251)979-0501.
A two-mile portion of the Trail, known when it opened in 2002 as the Catman Trail, has already become a refuge for walkers and bikers. In 2004, the city of Orange Beach partnered with Gulf State Park in a plan to add about 7.5 miles to the trail, a picnic pavilion and restrooms, an additional trailhead on State Park Rd. 2, and expanded parking on Alabama Hwy. 161. A trail segment of about three miles opened along with the picnic pavilion and restrooms last March, and what will ultimately become a 9.5-mile-long trail was officially named the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail. Orange Beach city officials expect that the final trail segments will be paved by early 2008.
Orange Beach Coastal Resources Manager Phillip West, who is overseeing development of the trail, said funds raised from Running Scared will probably be used for water fountains placed near the Sportsplex and/or Alabama 161 trailhead, exercise stations or possibly additional asphalt paving on a spur near Perdido Beach Boulevard.
Click here to register for this event on the Running Scared Website.
Click here for more information about this event.
Click here for a Birdseye-view of the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trailhead at Orange Beach Blvd.
