The Best Small Race In America

The Best Small Race In America

By Marla Jones

Managing Editor

marla@southerntorch.com

  RAINSVILLE, Ala.-- The Best Small Race in America welcomes runners and walkers alike to Rainsville this Saturday.

   The 12th annual Rainsville Freedom Run 5K and 10K will be held on June 19.  This year the event will begin at the DeKalb County Schools Coliseum.  The Coliseum is located on 1504 Main Street East in Rainsville.  According to Freedom Run coordinator Jerry Clifton, this move was to insure participants who may have concerns about COVID-19, a larger area to spread out during the awards ceremony.

   Previously the race was headquartered at Broadway Baptist Church in Rainsville.  “We appreciate Broadway for hosting the race for years.  We love them but we have outgrown the location. In order for the race to grow, we need room to expand.”

   As of Wednesday, June 16, over 800 runners/walkers had signed up for the event.  Clifton stated that registration would be cut off at 1,000 participants.  Runners are registered from several states including California, Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi and Alabama. In the past runners have attended internationally but COVID procedures have restricted their attendance this year. 

   Many elite runners including Shawanna White, Jen Davis  and Shannon Miller Bain will be participating in this year's race.  

   Registration price is $30 and will increase to $35 on race day.  To register, visit runsignup.com and search Rainsville Freedom Run 10K and 5K.  You may also go to the Rainsville Freedom Run Facebook Page and follow the link to sign up. 

   Over the past 12 years, the Rainsville Freedom Run has raised over $325,000 for local charities. The proceeds will remain in the community helping citizens through the following charities:

•Care Packages for Our Troops

•Distinguished Young Woman of DeKalb County

•Shop with a Cop

•The Summit

•Running for Uganda

•Dekalb County Animal Shelter

•Kids Bolt

•Turning Point Pregnancy Center

•Chattanooga Homeless Shelter

•The Sams Foundation

•Feed My Starving Children

•The Dare Program

•Bread of Life 

   Businesses and members of the community have come together to donate 

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