Participants sought for annual AFAD fun run

Friday, August 16, 2013
Runners leave Carl Miller Park during last year's Air Force Appreciation Day fun run and walk.

Air Force Appreciation Day representatives are continuing to register people for an event that will celebrate its 20th anniversary next month.

Since 1994, the AFAD Fun Run and Walk has served as an introduction to festivities held the following day.

This year's run will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Carl Miller Park and will follow a course through town. Monitored by police for safety, the course stretches three miles for walkers with a five-mile option for runners. The yearly event was the brainchild of former teacher Tom Hacker and Larry Ashcraft.

"We both liked to run, and somebody thought we ought to get people together for a run in conjunction with AFAD," said Ashcraft, who serves as the event's subcommittee chairman.

Run organizers decided that Friday evening, when it was cool, would be the best time for the run so it wouldn't conflict with all the other AFAD events the next day. Runners from the base and town compete, but the event also draws runners from across the region.

Besides the runners, there's the walkers, who seem to simply enjoy the event for what it is. Time isn't that important. Four years ago, for example, one of the walkers was an elderly woman who was actually using a walker to get around the route. She was one of the last ones in, but to her simply completing it was a source of pride, he said.

The race features seven age groups with plaques and medals presented to the overall winners as well as the top three men and women in each age category. In addition, every registered participant will receive a T-shirt commemorating the run. A post-race party will follow at Carl Miller Park featuring prizes donated by various merchants.

Over the years, the event has grown from the 125 entries during its debut to the hundreds who typically show up today. Squadrons from Mountain Home Air Force Base often send entire contingents of airmen to the event.

The cost to enter the race is $20 for those who sign up by Aug. 23 and $30 for people who register afterward. People may register online by going to www.spondoro.com. For details, call Brad Seymour at 587-4068.

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