Runners and walkers from all corners of Richland County are encouraged to lace up their running and walking shoes to represent their local communities by joining in Richland R.U.N.S., a charity road race that celebrates all of Richland County — Rural, Urban, Neighborhoods and Suburbs.
The 10K Run and 5K Run/Walk takes off Saturday, Oct. 4, at Jim Hamilton – L.B. Owens Airport. The event will benefit communities by supporting United Way of the Midlands charities that help residents across the County. The event will provide participants the opportunity to learn more about Richland County services, as well as the County’s rich aviation history.
The neighborhood with the largest number of pre-registered participants will be recognized during the awards ceremony.
Runners will compete on a USATF-certified course. The 10K will start at 7:45 a.m., followed by the 5K. The course wraps through the historic Rosewood community, beginning and ending at Jim Hamilton – L.B. Owens Airport. A variety of information booths will be on-site, and the South Carolina Historic Aviation Foundation will open its hangar to the public to showcase its various exhibits.
“We have a B-25 bomber and several static displays in the hangar so there will be a lot to look at,” said C. Cantzon Foster II, president of the South Carolina Historic Aviation Foundation.
The Jim Hamilton – L.B. Owens Airport is also home to the Curtiss-Wright Hangar ― one of the oldest hangars in the nation ― as well as the South Carolina Aviation Hall of Fame
An award will be presented to the neighborhood association or community group in Richland County with the highest number of participants in the race (walkers, runners or a combination). Individual awards will be given to the first place overall finishers – male and female – as well as the top three finishers in each age group – male and female.
Register for Richland R.U.N.S. online at www.strictlyrunning.com. Entry fees for groups of 10 or more are $25 per person for the 10K and $20 per person for the 5K. Individual fees are $30 for the 10K and $25 for the 5K. For more information about the event and to view the course map, visit www.rcgov.us or contact the Richland County Public Information Office at pio@rcgov.us or (803) 576-2050.