Super Eagle Day set for March 8

The fourth annual Super Eagle Day 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk is scheduled for March 8, along with a community health fair and child ID project. Fourteen runners have competed in all three Super Eagle Day races. Some of the members of the Super Eagle Day Hall of Fame shown are, from left, first row: Will Finch, Wesley Finch, Kristin McLamb and Robert Highsmith; and second row: Jim Hite, Joyce Hodges- Hite, Irene Drummer, Ray Miller and Tamia Lovett. (Staff photo by Deborah Bennett)

Raising health and literacy awareness in the community is the main focus of the Fifth Annual Super Eagle Day Road Race and Community Health Fair scheduled for Saturday, March 8. 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 Health Index Committee, combines a 5K (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 JCHS girls and boys track teams, Miller said.

Event schedule:

7:00 a.m. Late registration and packet pick-up; 8:15 a.m. Super Eagle Mile Fun Run/ Walk; 9 a.m. 5K 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 $18 on race day. Everyone who enters will receive an official Super Eagle Day Race t-shirt. 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 5K, and trophies will be awarded to the first, second and third place males and females in age 13 age groups.

The Super Eagle 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk is a great way to enjoy the morning without having to run a 5K race. The first place male and female will receive a trophy. Medals will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place male and female in the following age groups: 6 & under, 7 & 8, 9 & 10, 11 & 12, 13 & 14, 15 -19, 20 - 29, 30 - 39, 40 - 49, 50 - 59, 60 & over.

Children 12 & 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, 2005, 2006 and 2007 can be found at www.millenmilers.- com/eagleday.html. Entry information and entry forms are available on the site as well.

The following agencies have been invited to participate in the Community Health Fair: the Jenkins County Hospital, the Jenkins County Health Department and Jenkins County Emergency Medical Services.

Randy Hill, and a group from the Planters Electric Membership Corporation's 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 Commission will provide the children's books and literacy information. Augusta Coca Cola will provide post race refreshments.

In 2007, there were over 150 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 four Super Eagle Day events, this year promises to be even bigger and better"