According to Dr. Tom Grayson, a retired internist who is in charge of event sponsorship, the event has become bigger and bigger each year since it was founded by the Rev. Jason Driscoll in 1993.
“The most important thing about the Run for Griffin is that it has become a major fund-raiser for local charities,” Grayson said Wednesday. “When we first started the event, we had a handful of sponsors. As the years progressed, we have added sponsors. This year, we have a record 91 sponsors. They include local businesses, churches and individuals, and are very loyal to us.”
The event begins at First United Methodist Church at 1401 Maple Drive and the route weaves along neighborhood streets.
Children’s races start at 8:30 a.m. and will include different age groups. Each child will receive a short-sleeved T-shirt and a medal.
The 5K race begins at 9 a.m. and is followed by a 5K walk at 9:05 a.m. The running event is timed and awards will be given to the top three finishers in each age group. The walking race is not timed, but four different numbers will be handed out to participants along the route to help determine the winner at the finish line.
The registration cost is $15 for adults and $10 for children.
After the event, refreshments will be served in the church and door prizes will be awarded.
“Because of the enormous sponsorship, we hope to give away $28,000 to charity this year,” Grayson said, explaining that each of the seven charities will receive $4,000.
The charities are Habitat for Humanity, Five Loaves Two Fish Food Pantry, Meals on Wheels, The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club, Spalding Samaritans, The Amick Fund, and the talKHouse, which is a new program for teenage girls.
Everything is special for this event, right down to the T-shirts. The committee held a contest among Spalding High School students for the T-shirt design and the winner was Corinne Milling. The colorful design includes all the charities that will benefit from the event.
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