Busy weekend for Mid-South runners | Community Spirit

Hometown Crawfordsville Festival 5k Run/Walk

A tiny Crittenden County community will celebrate the perfect climate for running in a big way this Saturday, Oct. 13.

It's the 5th annual Hometown Crawfordsville Festival 5k Run/Walk.

"We had 142 runners last year. With a dozen runs this weekend within thirty miles of Crawfordsville, I'll be happy with that turn out," said race director and veteran Mid-South runner Alex Alpe.

For the first time, the Crawfordsville run will honor a quiet,  Mid-South running legend.

"Don Smith ran 72 races in one recent calendar year; we don't know anyone who has achieved that mark in Mid-South running," said Alpe.

Smith, a computer programmer for the federal government, died of liver disease Apr. 5, 2012.

"Don never took a drink in his life and was a church going man," said Alpe, a friend of Smith's like so many in the Mid-South's tight knit yet growing running community.

Proceeds from the 5k will benefit the Methodist University Hospital Transplant Institute as well as the Crawfordsville Volunteer Fire Department.

You can pre-register for $20 or pay $25 on Saturday.

The run starts at 9 a.m. Learn more at hometowncrawfordsville5k.racesonline.com. 

Life Is Good 5k

Village Creek State Park outside Wynne, AR will host the inaugural Life Is Good 5k at 8 a.m. Saturday morning, Oct. 13.

Concepts of Truth Inc. and Muckas Running Club have joined forces to bring you the run on scenic pathways through the largest state park in Arkansas.

You can learn more at www.conceptsoftruth.org.

It's likely the Mid-South's largest running event on Saturday will be the Pumpkin Run, a family friendly 3.1 mile test along East Memphis neighborhood streets near Ridgeway Center.

The event raises funds for LeBonheur Children's Hospital. Marsh Headquarters on Ridgeway Center will host a "Boo Bash" with all kinds of food and fun for children after the 5k. Learn more at www.pumpkinrun.org 

Collierville's Carriage Crossing shopping center will host the NAMI 5k on Saturday.

The event benefits the Memphis chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

The run is designed to help reduce the stigma the mentally ill face in our society.

Organizers plan to serve hamburgers and hot dogs, present live music live music as well as kids corner, face painting, Police K-9 demonstration, dunk tank, bounce house, Children’s Ident-a-kit, Snow cones, cotton candy and much more included in this event.

The run starts at  9 a.m. Learn more at here.

Barbara K. Motley Family Fund 5k

Overton Park will be home base for the Barbara K. Motley Family Fund 5k to help the people served by Goodwill Homes.

Ms. Motley worked as CEO of Goodwill Homes for 20 years.

The agency served more than 10,000 people annually with a comprehensive social services approach, including foster care and independent living for at-risk youth.

Frail and elderly mentally challenged adults receive help from Goodwill Homes.

The agency also offers meals and recreation for seniors, subsidized housing for elder citizens, Headstart for pre-schoolers and more.  Learn more at http://barbarajmotleyrun.racesonline.com/. 

Taffi T. Crawford 2nd Annual Domestic Violence 5k

Olive Branch will welcome runners and walkers at the Taffi T. Crawford 2nd annual Domestic Violence 5k at 10 a.m. Saturday morning, Oct. 13 at New Fellowship Christian Church at 5453 Stateline Rd. The event honors the memory of a Memphis nurse who was killed in a domestic violence assualt. Learn more at www.tafficrafordfoundation.com  

Runners with a desire to "go long" can do so on Sunday, Oct.14 at the second annual Shelby Farms Greenline Half Marathon.

The 13.1 mile event winds through Shelby Farms and an East Memphis neighborhood, connecting with the easternmost leg of the Shelby Farms Greenline.

The half marathon starts at 8 a.m. on Sunday morning and concludes with a spirited party, live music and good food for all participants. Learn more at http://greenlinehalfmarathon.racesonline.com/