5K race will raise money for TCO

W. Terry Smith
Editor

December 10, 2007 10:59 am

— There will be a foot race in Tarboro next spring to raise money for Tarboro Community Outreach.
“Movin’ for Community Outreach 5K Walk & Run” is scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday, April 5. The goal is $10,000 from entry fees, sponsors and donations.
The fund-raiser is the idea of Kevin Shaffer, a Tarboro native who now lives in Richmond, Va. He approached Mears Pitt, chairman of the TCO Board of Directors, who jumped at the idea. Both men have met with Sister Mary Ann Cjaza, TCO’s executive director, and Tarboro Town Manager Sam Noble and received their approvals.
“This will be a significant impact to us,” Cjaza said. “I think that he has an awareness of us is just wonderful.”
The 3.2-mile race will begin in front of Howard Memorial Presbyterian Church at 303 E. Saint James St., go through the downtown historic district, loop around the Blount-Bridgers House, into Forest Acres and return.
“We will provide a great course for the first-time runner or a seasoned veteran,” Shaffer said.
TCO at 701 Cedar Lane is the town’s homeless shelter and food pantry for the needy. It serves around 300 lunches daily.
Shaffer is hoping for 300 entries, drawing from a growing running community in Rocky Mount as well as Greenville, Wilson and Raleigh. Entry fees will be $15 before Feb. 29, $17 before March 29 and then $20. T-shirts will be given to all entrants.
Awards will go to the top three male finishers, top three female and the fastest times by a firefighter, policeman or town employee.
Participants can either run or walk the course. The main event will be preceded by a quarter-mile Kids Fun Run around a city block at 8:45 a.m. This event is free but children must register.
Entry forms will be available at Marrow-Pitt Ace Hardware on Main Street or at the Web site http:// www.active.com. They should be mailed to Tarboro Community Outreach Inc., Attention: Jerry Webb, 701 Cedar Lane, Tarboro NC 27886.
East Carolina Road Racing of Greenville will do all the timing, scoring and posting of results at www.ecrun.org.
Shaffer, 30, runs about 30 miles a week. He has been in five marathons and a 70.3 Half Ironman Triathlon in the last two years. He ran the Boston Marathon in three hours and seven minutes earlier this year and plans to enter again next year.
“I took up running in 2005 when I was having trouble walking up a flight of stairs,” he said. “I found out I was pretty good at it.”
Shafer will be the race director.
Plenty of “enthusiastic” volunteers will be needed the day of the event. Those interested in helping by volunteering can contact Shaffer at 804-502-2976 .
Donations and business sponsorships are 100 percent tax-deductible and may be made by sending a check to: Tarboro Community Outreach Inc., Attention: Jerry Webb, 701 Cedar Lane, Tarboro NC 27886.
“It’s an opportunity to raise money for one of Tarboro’s best known charities,” said Shaffer.