Cross the finish line for needy neighbors: Millersburg Food Run takes off Aug. 7
MILLERSBURG — Runners are on their marks and ready to race in the Millersburg Food Run scheduled for 8 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 7 along the Holmes County Trail. Proceeds benefit the Love Center.
The run includes competitive, professionally timed, 5k and 10k courses on a flat, paved Rails to Trails path starting at Hipp Station Depot near downtown Millersburg.
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The race course runs through wooded areas and farm fields, occasionally seeing wildlife along the way. Runners may even see a bald eagle, according to race coordinator Eva Durbin.
There is a non-competitive 1-mile course children are welcome to join so the whole family can participate. Runners, joggers and walkers are all welcome.
History of helping Holmes County families
Since 2018, the Millersburg Food Run 10k, 5k and 1-mile has been hosted by the Millersburg Seventh-day Adventist Church to help Holmes County families. Profits from the race are donated to the Love Center Food Pantry, which has been servicing the needs of Holmes County since 1986. Nearly 1,000 families use the food pantry, which processes more than 660,000 pounds of food each year.
Edgar Raber, director of the Love Center Food Pantry, said he expects to see an increase in the number of clients coming to the food pantry due to inflation and government programs being cut back.
He said the food pantry is able to purchase large quantities of food from the Akron-Canton Foodbank for less than grocery store prices, so financial donations go further than donated food items.
The Christian ministry is supported by businesses and congregations throughout Holmes County.
"We appreciate all the help we receive from various businesses and churches in the community," Raber said. "Eva is such a blessing. She puts this whole race together and it raises a lot of money which really helps with our operation and costs."
Two years ago, when the race was postponed because of the pandemic, the event still raised more than $2,000 in donations for the Love Center.
Medals, goodie bags, gift baskets
Financial sponsors for this year’s Food Run are Berlin Village Gift Barn and Country Gatherings, Boyd & Wurthmann Restaurant, Denco Marketing Co., Dr. Brad Welsh Dentistry & Associates, Jackson Street Antiques, Killbuck Savings Bank Co., Miller Mast and Mason LTD, Pomerene Hospital, Rozuk Radiology, WKLM and Wolf Creek Veterinary Services.
Participants receive a medal, goodie bag and a ticket for prize drawing of gift baskets from businesses: E&H Ace Hardware, Red Ruff Ruff Inn, Pampered Paws, Southside Quik Lube, and Starlight Antiques. T-shirts will be on a first-come, first-served basis. A beverage and snack table will be available after the race.
Race categories, prizes
Race categories by gender are: 13 and under, 14-16, 17-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-65 and 65-plus. The first-place finisher in each category will receive a Subway $5 gift card. There will be a live, in-person awards ceremony.
Parking is free at Hipp Station, 62 N. Grant St. Millersburg. There is additional street parking nearby.
“This is an activity for the whole family to participate in,” Durbin said. “There will be competitive 5k and 10k courses, and a noncompetitive 1-mile run/walk, which is a great option for families and children.”
Register at https://runsignup.com/Race/OH/Millersburg/MillersburgFoodRun. Race fees are: 10k, $35; 5; $25; adult 1-mile, $15; and child 1-mile, $7. Registration after July 31 increases by $5.
On-site day of registration will be available, however, online registration is still strongly encouraged. Day of race registration fees are: 10K, $45, 5k, $35; adult 1-mile, $25; and child 1-mile, $7.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Registration under way for August Millersburg Fun Run
