If you love competitive marathon running or you simply want to team up with friends and family members to walk for charity, Athens, OH is the place and April 26 is the date.
The 3rd Annual Ohio Health O’Bleness Hospital Race for a Reason will bring together what may be the largest groups of race/walk participants ever in Athens. Even better, you can choose between four different events, each offering different opportunities and challenges.
With goal of raising $100,000 for charity and more than 1,000 participants expected, race organizers are excited by the attention and interest the race is drawing. Carey Goodman, the Recruiting Coordinator for Ohio University’s Center for Sports Administration is helping to coordinate this year’s event. “The premise of the race is to support a charity of the participants choice. We have 70 charities; we have organizations that worked with us in the past, as well as a lot of new organizations like fraternities and sororities that are working with us. This year we’ve really tried to put a lot of effort into finding more organizations to work with and support.”
Hosted by Ohio Health O’Bleness Hospital, the Ohio University Sports Administration Program, and Athletes in Action, the Race for a Reason truly offers something for everyone. Here is a breakdown of the events that you can choose from and what each one involves:
Athletes in Action Triathlon & Duathlon – This event is really two events, each with a different format. It is offered by the College of Health Sciences and Professions. Competitors can run this race individually, with friends and family as a team or in three-person relays for the different components of the triathlon or duathlon.
Triathlon competitor Eddith Dashiell, Associate Professor of Journalism, competed in the race last year and is returning to compete this year. As a first year competitor in 2013, Dr. Dashiell says that her motivation to compete was to push herself. “The main reason was to see if I could do it, and find a difficult way that I could exercise. It’s a nice change of pace. I would see other people doing the Triathlon and think, well I can do that.”
- The Triathlon provides a three-part format beginning with a 500-meter swim at the OU Aquatic Center. Aquatic Center Director Joe Wakeley has his staff ready for the event and is a great supporter of the race. “There will be a number of events going on that weekend and individuals will have the opportunity to raise money for their charity through the races offered around campus. Even if you are not taking part this year in the event, come out and support those who are.”
Swimming is followed by a 25k bike race, closing with a 5k run. Goodman says that the event draws quite the crowd. “As of right now we have about 150 people registered for the Triathlon.”
- The Duathlon provides a 5k run, followed by a 25k bike race and ends with a 5k run.
34th OU HCOM Medicine Run 5K –This is a traditional 5k run that follows a path through the OU campus, meeting and following the Hocking Adena Bike Path as it parallels the Hocking River. It is offered by Quidel. This race represents tradition in every way.
The Rocky Military Mud Run is offered by the OU ROTC. This less than traditional 4k run is not for the faint of heart. Beginning in TailGreat Park, participants will cross the Richland Avenue Bridge to the Richland Avenue Park and then down Dairy Lane until they turn off for the ROTC Challenge course in the Ridges. Participants face obstacles as they navigate the course and, finally, reach a slip-n-slide finish line.
AMVETS Diabetes 3K Walk – Offered by Humana, this walk along the Hocking Adena Bike Path offers great scenery, while contributing to your favorite charity. There is no need for high stress here, as the focus is on cooperating instead of competing.
While the races start at different locations around the OU campus, they all finish at the TailGreat Park, where race officials, family, friends, supporters, and sponsors will be on hand for metals, congratulations, and hugs for all of the dedicated participants.
See my Storify story too: https://storify.com/LorayR/o-bleness-athletes-in-action-triathlon
Wood River Rock 