I
n Munchkin style, participants in the 10K, 5K and 1 mile fun runs the Saturday morning of the Bell Tower Festival may sing, “Ding, dong, the run is done! Which run’s done? The Ding Dong run!”
The running event was inaugurated many years ago with a name that changed from year to year. It became the Ding Dong Dash when the Jefferson park and recreation department became its permanent sponsor nine or so years ago. This year, with the Festival’s theme “Emerald County: There’s no place like home,” the Munchkins’ song fits.
The runs will begin and end at the Greene County Community Center as in past years, but in a change from previous years, the events will not be timed. A running clock will be at the finish line and runners are welcome to time themselves, but no official times will be recorded and no medals will be awarded.
Due to circumstances beyond JPRD’s control, chip timing was not available for the June 14 event. “Having an untimed event wasn’t something we set out to do, but we think we’ll still have a great event,” said JPRD wellness coordinator Simeon Lang, who is organizing the Ding Dong Dash. “Maybe we’ll have more families running or walking together, or maybe folks will borrow an idea from the Market to Market Relay and dress in costumes. Maybe we’ll have Dorothy or the Cowardly Lion or the Scarecrow running. We’ll just have to see what happens. It’s all up to the runners and walkers. Like any fitness activity, it’s all good.”
Pre-race check-in will be from 7 to 7:45 am at the Community Center, with the 1 mile Fun Run starting at 8 and the 5K and 10K starting at 8:20. The $20 registration fee includes a dri-fit short sleeved shirt and refreshments at the finish line, and all participants will be eligible for door prizes. There will be a 20 percent discount off all registrations of four or more immediate family members residing in the same household.
Pre-registration is recommended; registrations after May 23 are not guaranteed a T-shirt. Persons who want more information can call JPRD at the Community Center at 515-386-3412. Registration forms are available at the Community Center or by clicking on the ad/link for the Bell Tower Festival on GreeneCountyNewsOnline.
