By Haley Hughes
Aiken County Parks, Recreation and Tourism's racing series is back this year with some notable changes, including two fundraiser races.
Now in its third year, residents and visitors have the opportunity once again to participate in a true 5K racing series starting Saturday, Sept. 1.
The series consists of five 5K events in different locations around the county. Participants will tackle flat, paved trails, off-road courses, hilly terrain and more in the Aiken State Natural Area, the Audubon Society in Jackson, Boyd Pond Park, the Town of Wagener and the USC Aiken Pacer Path.
Each race starts at 8 a.m., and the registration fee is $15 per 5K or $70 for all five.
PRT staff, working off participant feedback, have made some changes that they believe should make the series more enjoyable.
First, Fleet Feet Sports of North Augusta was chosen as a corporate partner because of the natural synergy between the agency, the company and the event.
"We're both trying to do the same thing - get people outside, together and active," said Aiken County PRT Director Brad Barnes. "The 5K series is a great way to accomplish these objectives."
A second change is that a kids 1K race has been added to each event to take place after the 5Ks. The registration fee is $5 per 1K.
Another big change is the addition of two fundraiser races. The 5Ks in October and November will highlight breast cancer and prostate cancer awareness with a portion of proceeds benefitting the Susan G. Komen Foundation and the Movember Foundation.
The Oct. 13 event at Aiken State Natural Area will support the efforts to eliminate breast cancer. Everyone is asked to wear pink. All breast cancer survivors are be invited to run for free, and special items for participants will mark the event.
The event in Wagener on Nov. 3 will honor Movember and the fight against prostate cancer. There will be prizes for the best male, female and children's moustaches. All prostate cancer survivors are invited to run for free, and there will again be some special items for participants. The race starts at Busbee Corbett Middle School.
The series kicks off Sept. 1 at Boyd Pond Park. This course is primarily off-road over hilly terrain.
The Sept. 22 race is at the Silver Bluff Audubon Center along unpaved roads and off-road terrain.
The final race is Dec. 1 at the USC Aiken Pacer Path.
Registration is available online at www.active.com/5k-race/aiken-sc/aiken-county-fall-5k-series-2012.
Participants will have their best results from four of the five events tabulated, and overall awards will be presented to each age group at the final race.
For more information, call 502-9000.![]()
Aiken County Parks, Recreation and Tourism's racing series is back this year with some notable changes, including two fundraiser races.
Now in its third year, residents and visitors have the opportunity once again to participate in a true 5K racing series starting Saturday, Sept. 1.
The series consists of five 5K events in different locations around the county. Participants will tackle flat, paved trails, off-road courses, hilly terrain and more in the Aiken State Natural Area, the Audubon Society in Jackson, Boyd Pond Park, the Town of Wagener and the USC Aiken Pacer Path.
Each race starts at 8 a.m., and the registration fee is $15 per 5K or $70 for all five.
PRT staff, working off participant feedback, have made some changes that they believe should make the series more enjoyable.
First, Fleet Feet Sports of North Augusta was chosen as a corporate partner because of the natural synergy between the agency, the company and the event.
"We're both trying to do the same thing - get people outside, together and active," said Aiken County PRT Director Brad Barnes. "The 5K series is a great way to accomplish these objectives."
A second change is that a kids 1K race has been added to each event to take place after the 5Ks. The registration fee is $5 per 1K.
Another big change is the addition of two fundraiser races. The 5Ks in October and November will highlight breast cancer and prostate cancer awareness with a portion of proceeds benefitting the Susan G. Komen Foundation and the Movember Foundation.
The Oct. 13 event at Aiken State Natural Area will support the efforts to eliminate breast cancer. Everyone is asked to wear pink. All breast cancer survivors are be invited to run for free, and special items for participants will mark the event.
The event in Wagener on Nov. 3 will honor Movember and the fight against prostate cancer. There will be prizes for the best male, female and children's moustaches. All prostate cancer survivors are invited to run for free, and there will again be some special items for participants. The race starts at Busbee Corbett Middle School.
The series kicks off Sept. 1 at Boyd Pond Park. This course is primarily off-road over hilly terrain.
The Sept. 22 race is at the Silver Bluff Audubon Center along unpaved roads and off-road terrain.
The final race is Dec. 1 at the USC Aiken Pacer Path.
Registration is available online at www.active.com/5k-race/aiken-sc/aiken-county-fall-5k-series-2012.
Participants will have their best results from four of the five events tabulated, and overall awards will be presented to each age group at the final race.
For more information, call 502-9000.