Mid-America to host annual 5K

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Streaks of blue and green will be seen later this month as runners will gather for a good cause. Mid America Rehab will host its sixth annual 5K Rally/Run on Saturday, Sept. 18 at the TG 5K trail.
This year the race will return to normal after the event was forced to change to a “open race” format in 2020, where participants started racing when they arrived. The race returns to its “mass start” format.
“It’s easier to track for us and allows people to try to win their division or win the race overall, you actually know who you are running against,” event organizer Clinton Rice said.
The event will once again go to support the athletic departments at both St. Vincent and Perry County School Districts. Over the last five years, the event has garnered $21,800 that was split between the two schools.
“There is always a need to support the athletic departments at the schools,” Rice said. “We work closely with the athletes throughout the year and this is another way to give back. We want to help to make sure the departments have the equipment they need.”
The cost to register is $25 per person and people may continue to register from now up to the time of the race at 8 a.m on multiple ways. They can register online, in-person at Mid-America Rehab in Perryville or call 573-768-3349 for details.

The race was moved to the TG Trail several years ago and Rice noted that he enjoys having the race there ever since.
“It is nice because we don’t have to worry about traffic or closing off any roads in town,” he said. “We don’t have to worry about the police leading the way, either. It’s a safe place because we do have younger kids run and women who push strollers as well.”
Rice said that the race already has nearly 130 people registered as of Tuesday afternoon. He hopes to have that many if not more compete on race day.
“That’s a great number for us,” Rice said. Obviously we would love to see it grow to be one of the biggest in town every year. We have more than 100 that compete every year, because there are some that register to get the t-shirt and donate to the cause.”
The money will be presented during halftime of the St. Vincent-Perryville football game on Sept. 24, by then Rice hopes to be able to say they will donate a lot of money to the schools.
“This is one of my favorite events of the year,” Rice said. “The more money we can give to the athletic departments, the better.”