Super Eagle Day set for March 10

Students at Jenkins County Elementary School have been preparing for Super Eagle Day, March 10, by walking and exercising daily on the school's track. Teachers Hilliary Oliver and Amy Swan coordinate the training sessions. Also participating are Marty Miller, Jenkins County Wellness coordinator; Jim Hite, Millen Milers and More; Ray Miller, Super Eagle Day coordinator; and Dr. Judy Holton, JCES principal. (Staff photo by Deborah Bennett)

Raising health and literacy awareness in the community is the main focus of the fourth annual Super Eagle Day Road Race and Community Health Fair scheduled for Saturday, March 10. All activities will be held on the lawn of the Jenkins County Courthouse. The Jenkins County Wellness Program is the major sponsor for this year's event.

Super Eagle Day, which was conceived as an idea of the Jenkins County Elementary School (JCES) Health Index Committee, combines a SK (3.1 miles) Road Race and a 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk with a Community Health Fair and reading books for elementary school children.

Ray Miller, event coordinator, commented that the purpose of all the planned activities is to help educate the community about the importance of proper nutrition and regular physical activity as well as to raise literacy awareness.

"This is a family event," Miller said. "We want to get mom and dad involved as well as the children. Making money is not an issue."

All proceeds will benefit the JCES Health Index project and the Jenkins County High School girls and boys track teams, Miller said.

Event schedule: 7 a.m. - Late registration and packet pick-up; 8:15 a.m.- Baby Eagle Mile Fun Run/Walk (ages 12 & under); 8:35 a.m. - Super Eagle 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk (ages 13 & up); 9 a.m. - SK Road Race; and 9-11 a.m.- Community Health Fair.

Entry fee for the 1 Mile Fun Run is $8 for early registration and $10 on race day. Entry fee for the 5K Road Race is $15 early registration and $17 on race day. Everyone who enters will receive an official Super Eagle Day Race Tshirt. Participants may pick up entry forms from the office of all three schools and in area businesses.

Trophies will be awarded to the first place male and female in the SK, and trophies will be awarded to the first, second and third place males and females in age 13 age groups.

Due to the large number of participants in the 1 Mile Fun Run/ Walk in 2006, there will be two 1 Mile races this year. The Baby Eagle 1 Mile will be held for youngsters ages 12 and under. The first place boy and girl will receive a trophy. Medals will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place boys and girls in the following age groups: 6 and under; 7 and 8; 9 and 10; and 11 and 12.

The Super Eagle 1 Mile is for runners and walkers ages 13 and older. Trophies will be awarded to the first place male and female, and medals will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place male and female in the following age groups: 13 and 14; 15 - 19; 20- 29; 30- 39; 40- 49; 50- 59; and 60 and over. Children ages 12 and under will also receive a reading book in their race packets.

The Millen Milers and More Running/Walking Club will coordinate the races with Jim Hite serving as race director. Photographs and results from 2004 and 2005, as well as 2007 entry information can be found at www. m i l l e n m i l e r s . c o m / eagleday.html

The following agencies have been invited to participate in the Community Health Fair: the Jenkins County Hospital, the Jenkins County Health Department, Jenkins County School Food Services, East Central Health District VI and Jenkins County Emergency Medical Services

Randy Hill and a group from the Planters E.M.C. Child ID Project will be on hand to issue child ID's for their safety and protection. A parent must accompany each child to get his or her ID.

The Jenkins County Family Enrichment Center will provide the children's books and literacy information. Jenkins County School Food Service, the 21st Century Community Learning Centers and Augusta Coca Cola will provide post race refreshments.

In 2006, there were 218 runners and walkers in the two races.

"Local participation is going to be the key to our success," said Miller. "With the success of our first two Super Eagle Days, events this year promise to be even bigger and better"