Ready. Set. Glow! That’s exactly what 179 walkers and runners did in downtown Clarkesville on Saturday as they took to Pitts Park and the city streets for Habersham County’s first ever Glow Run. Organizers estimate, overall, the inaugural event attracted 300 people to the park and downtown when you factor in spectators and volunteers .
People of all ages – even babies in strollers – participated. Activities included a Fun Run, 5K race, pre- and after- dance party, and Zorbing.
Awards were handed out by age categories, with 17-year old Beau Barnette and 16-year old Perry Gresham, both of Clarkesville, taking home top overall honors. Barnette finished the race with a time of 19:14.3 clinching top Overall Male. Gresham won Overall Female with a time of 22:13.8.
6-year old Ayla Fleming of Martin, GA won Overall Female in the 10 and under age category, clearing the course in 33:26.6. 10-year old Jack Rowe of Clarkesville won the Overall Male 10 and under title with a time of 20:48.5. Rowe placed 4th overall!
(For a complete list of winners and times, visit https://www.coolrunning.com/results/16/ga/Oct8_GLOWRU_set2.shtml.)
Fundraiser a ‘glowing’ success
The Glow in the Park: Clarkesville Glow Run 5k was hosted by the Clarkesville Junior Main Street Board as a fundraiser. Organizers say they raised over $2,800 on this first-of-its-kind for Habersham event.
Clarkesville Main Street Director Mary Beth Horton says while they faced unusual challenges hosting a nighttime 5K, it was worth it.
“We definitely had to think outside of the box with this race because our major challenge would be working in the dark,” she says. “We also knew we wanted the race route to go straight through downtown, which presents its own traffic obstacles.” Horton says the race was less focused on speed and more on “glow in the dark fun with friends.”
To insure safety and fun, runners were equipped with glow gear. Each one received a small flashlight to help them navigate the night course. “In addition,” says Horton, “we had a tremendous group of volunteers (Junior Board members and the Interact Club from Tallulah Falls School), as well as the Clarkesville Police Department who stationed themselves all along the route, keeping runners on the sidewalks, helping to light their path and more importantly- cheering them on!”
The Junior Main Street Board plans to use proceeds from the event to enhance the new plaza space being built on the east side of the Clarkesville square. Such enhancements may include café lighting, landscaping and public art displays (murals).
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Horton says Saturday’s turnout “totally exceeded” her expectations for a first year event.
“I was truly overwhelmed at the number of runners and spectators who filled the park Saturday night,” she says. “I am so grateful for this community who embraces the out of the ordinary events like this, and I’m particularly grateful for the number of youth that came out to support this. The Glow in the Park was a success because of the sponsors, participants, volunteers and the many, many believers who know that small town life can be huge fun.”
And just in case you missed it…you’ll get another chance next year. When asked by email if the city will do this again Horton responds, “Oh, yes. You bet we will!”
