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September 19, 2012

I'm in. You should be too

By Gregg A. Sims Washington Times-Herald

WASHINGTON — There are times when you just know what you need to do.

On Nov. 3, 10 a.m., the Race for the Son organization is hosting its inaugural Derek Arvin 5K Race beginning at Eastside Park in Washington.

The race will raise funds for the Derek Arvin Scholarship, a scholarship designated  for Washington High School students.

To be considered for the scholarship, the student must be involved in one sport, regularly attend a church, be involved in an extra curricular activity at the high school other than a sport, and have a 3.0 GPA.

The scholarship is in memory of the Washington youth who was killed this past spring in an automobile accident with friend Zach Blubaum.

Both victims were well-known members of the Washington athletic community, and the tragic accident hit many in Washington and the surrounding area quite hard.

The Race for the Son is an organization formed by many family members, friends and acquaintances throughout southern Indiana who knew Derek.

The idea for the run started this past July and is now entering its final stages.

Nikki Sparks is one of those people who form the Race for the Son organization, and she is the event coordinator.

That means she will be there, along with other organization members, to ensure that race packets are available, refreshment stations are ready to go one-mile apart on the event’s route, that all registrations have been accepted and are ready at the park’s shelter house when the race begins, and that persons wishing to register an hour before the event can do so.

The group hopes that all ages and abilities will participate. There will be several prizes for the many age divisions.

Some runners will be rather serious. Some may not. Some may decide to just walk the 5K, or 3.1 miles, if you prefer.

There’s a goody bag with a T-shirt for those who enter.

People may register the day of the race starting at 9 a.m., but preregistration is better if possible.

The age groups and prizes haven’t been determined. That’s still in the works, and friends and teammates of the two victims are in the process of putting together a shorter youth race for persons sixth grade and below who would like to participate.

That’s really the key word when you get to the meat of the situation.

It’s participation in an event that will provide scholarship money to a deserving student in memory of a person who should be remembered for his short, but lengthy, contributions to life.

And if you would like, you can become a sponsor. If sponsors wish to be on the shirt, they must be registered by Oct. 1.

 Interested persons, or organizations, can go the website (aracefortheson.com) to enroll.

Entry forms may be obtained easiest by going to the website. They are available at schools. The cost is $25. If you’re under 18, you must have the signature of a parent or guardian on a waiver to participate. The entry fee for the youth group has not yet been determined.

Other than that, if you’re able to participate, you’re able to participate.

I’m going to enter.

Before you get excited about seeing an older, somewhat overweight, guy trying to make a 5K effort on .1K legs and knees, I will assure you that’s not going to happen.

I will not even walk.

But I will participate.

Maybe you should as well.

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