SEBASTIAN – The Second Annual Labor Day 5K to benefit the Sebastian River High School cross-country teams is in need of runners.
Organizers would like to have more than 100 turn out to the event at the high school on Saturday to raise funds to be used on transportation and other team needs.
“We’re hoping for a bigger turnout,” said Girls Cross-Country Coach Carol Dunphey, who is organizing the event for the second time.
Last year’s 5K was held on Labor Day – a Monday – and had about 60 or so runners compete. By moving the event to Saturday, Dunphey said she expects more participation.
The 5K is open to the general public to participate – not just cross-country athletes from the high school.
Last year, a competitor or two from Vero Beach High’s team came to support the rival school as well as get in some additional practice.
“It’s going to be great motivation for the kids,” Dunphey said of the community-oriented 5K. She suspects the athletes will want to perform even better at competitions as a way of giving back to the community that came out to support them.
“Everything is so iffy with this sport,” Dunphey said, explaining that with continued budget cuts for athletics, the fate of the team long-term is not known.
Football receives a great deal of support due to its crowd turnout, the coach said.
Cross-country – “it’s not that type of sport,” she added.
The teams have been hosting other fund-raisers to keep the sport at the school, including a car wash and a Beef ‘O’ Brady’s event.
Soon, the team hopes to start selling flip-flops with the school logo on them.
Anyone interested in participating in the 5K on Saturday, Sept. 4, can fill out a registration form at Runner’s Depot in Vero Beach, 436 21st St., or visit www.RunnersDepotVB.com.
For more information about the event, go to Runner’s Depot’s website or e-mail Coach Dunphey at cdunphey@hotmail.com.
