It’s a big weekend of activity with the Tim Kennard River Run happening Sunday morning and a race for the younger set, Rob’s Run for Kids, happening on Saturday. It’s not too late to sign up to run, but if you’re not participating, you are needed to cheer on about 400 runners as they make their way around Salisbury.

The Tim Kennard River run, in its 19 year, starts and ends at Salisbury Bible Fellowship in Court Plaza at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. There are 10 mile and 5k options, as well as a 5k non-competitive walk. Check out the two maps here and if you live along the routes, head outside to cheer on the runners. Being a runner myself, but unfortunately an injured one right now, I know how motivating it is to hear people shouting words of encouragement as runners go by. If you are driving Sunday morning along these routes, allow a little extra time and be patient as runners make their way from Pine Bluff Road to Tony Tank, down Riverside Drive to downtown and back. Runners will finish by about 10:30 am. so now you know when to look for them!

You might see a few people walking dogs in need of adoption along the route, too, since the race supports the Humane Society and Coalition of Caring, an animal rescue organization.

When the runners return, they will be greeted by the church’s pastor, Tri Evans, and his team of volunteers cooking pancakes for the after-party. The church canceled their Sunday morning service; instead opting to use their facility to host the race and serve the community.

Rob’s Run for Kids this Saturday at 2 p.m. is the free race for kids ages 2-10 held at EVO Public House. Salisbury Police will block the road to keep it safe for the kids to run distances based on their age. I enjoy watching all the kids run but I’m especially excited to see my two-year-old grandson run and earn his own medal! Two to 4 year olds run 50 yards, 5 and 6 year olds will run 100 yards, 7 and 8 year olds will run a quarter mile, and 9-10 year olds will run a half mile. Their enthusiasm is contagious and the kids are treated to snacks afterwards and visits with costumed characters. 
The event is free, with donations of any size for the Rob Schultheis Memorial Scholarship at Salisbury University. 

Next on the agenda for the weekend is that the race wants your old sneakers. Race organizers have partnered with an organization, Sneakers4Good, that collects sneakers to provide inventory for micro-enterprises in developing countries. Shoes in decent shape – no holes or tears in the fabric or soles – can be donated both at the kids run Saturday and at the River Run on Sunday. Sneakers4Good pays a nominal fee for each pair to the race, then that money will be used toward the charities supported by the race, all local. 

The River Run, named after Tim Kennard, a local runner who died of kidney cancer, had made his wishes known that he wanted a race to benefit children and animals someday. This year’s race will again raise funds for TEAM 360, an organization that helps individuals with different abilities compete in mainstream athletic events, the Eastern Shore Running Club scholarship for local high school students, and the Coalition of Caring pet adoption organization.

Anyone who has planned events knows how important it is to have the local business community’s support. The list of sponsors who have given monetary or in-kind donations for the weekend of events is long. Remember that by shopping local, you are not only helping that business, but enabling their generosity to pour resources back into their own communities.