Construction alters 5K race route
Published 9:25 pm Thursday, October 10, 2013
The bridge construction on Dallas Ave. has forced organizers of Saturday’s Integrity Worldwide 5K to plan a new race route through Selma, one that will take runners in a completely different direction than the event’s past.
“It is like the whole total opposite direction,” said Integrity Worldwide’s Averee Hicks. “We used to run out of the stadium and we took a right. We ran east and this year we are going to loop around but ultimately we are going west.”
However, Hicks said coming up with a new route for the fourth annual 5K was not a difficult task.
“It really wasn’t that hard,” Hicks said. “We knew we couldn’t go over the bridge and we knew we had to go the opposite direction.”
Like in past years, the run will start at Bloch Park, in front of Memorial Stadium. From there runners will travel towards the Marina before turning right and going behind the ballpark and Memorial Stadium. Runners will follow that road around — passing Live Oak Cemetery on the left — until it intersects back into Dallas Ave. Once at Dallas Ave, participants will turn left, going west on Dallas Ave. until they make it to Houston Park. Once at the park, runners will take a left and go around the outside perimeter of the park.
After completing the loop, runners will turn right, back onto Dallas Ave. and make a return trip before reaching the start/finish line.
Runner’s Fit, from Atlanta, Ga., is putting on the race. Since this year’s event is being held in a different direction than past years, the group will mark off the new route on Friday.
Also, since the race has grown to as big as it has, every runner’s bib will have a chip in it to record accurate times.
Along with the 5K run, there will be two bands, free popcorn, snow cones and a bouncy castle for children.
Those interested in participating can register online at www.integrityworldwide.com or call Integrity Worldwide at (334) 322-1201.