Fund-raising stampede set for this Saturday

Published 2:36 pm Thursday, June 19, 2008

By Charles Prince

The North Jefferson News



They’re taking to the streets, hiking trails and the track. Runners from Alabama and beyond are gearing up and training for the Fultondale Stampede 5K on June 16, starting at 8 a.m.

More than 200 runners are expected for the 18th annual road race. The race is drawing out of state interest as one entry has been received by a runner from Buffalo, N.Y.

The race isn’t just for the young, but for the young at heart as well. An entry had been received from an 87-year-old runner.

Race organizer Sammy Morris said that 206 runners participated last year and the event raised over $3,000 to help the Fultondale Volunteer Fire Department.

In 2007, 206 runners took to the road for a the 5K race, and later 40 or 50 runners took part in a one-mile fun run. After last year’s event, Morris considered adding a walking division to the second race and he expects some to walk the one-mile course this Saturday. Morris said, however, that anyone who wants to enter the race and walk the course, is welcome and he encouraged anyone who wants to, to do so.

When Morris started the race in 1990, he said only “30 or 40 runners signed up.” This year we’re expecting more than 200 runners.”

Morris thinks most runners wait until the week of the race to sign up. Anyone who hasn’t already register can stop by Hibbets Sporting Goods and do so before Saturday.

Morris, who is not a volunteer firefighter himself, knew several of the volunteers. His understanding of their work and the sacrifices they make to protect Fultondale residents and their property motivated him to start the charity event.

“I knew several of the firefighters. I also knew they get paid practically nothing, it’s like $10 per call,” Morris said. “I knew they needed help. The first year, we raised almost $2,000. Every year since then, we’ve raised between $2,000-3,000. We estimate we’ve raised over $34,000 for the volunteer fire department since we’ve started the race.”

Defending champion Scott Strand had already entered this year’s 5K. Strand has won the last four overall titles.

“Scott’s a great runner,” Morris said. “He used to be an Olympic level runner. He won two years in a row while pushing his youngster in a baby carriage. That’s how fast he is.”

Morris said each runner will receive a baseball cap after completing the course. In addition, he said there will be door prizes and trophies for all age group winners.

Earlier this year, posters advertising the race appeared calling it the 77th annual Stampede run, but Morris said it was just a joke to raise awareness about the annual charity affair.

“I was hoping to catch some folk’s attention with that one,” Morris said. “I joked about how old it was to get people to ask about it. I told some people that Abraham Lincoln won the first race.”