Annual race to benefit EHS cross country team
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Eudora's annual Horsethief Run will take place on Saturday, July 10, raising money for the Eudora High School cross country team. All proceeds of the Horsethief Run support the team's training and travel expenses. A portion of proceeds also will be given as a donation to the Eudora Food Pantry.
"This is a great race," said head cross country coach Paul Boone. "It's a fun time, a great way to improve fitness, and the money goes to a good cause."
The race is USATF-certified and begins and ends at 8th and Main. The course is run entirely on pavement and winds throughout both historic and newer parts of Eudora.Participants will run or walk a USATF-certified 5K course (3.1 miles) and be eligible for unique awards in five-year age groups. The race, which featured 275 finishers last year, has been included on the Gran Prix Circuit, one of 16 area races in the KC area that is a part of the Mid America Running Association racing series.
The registration fee is $25 per person and includes a race T-shirt, as well as refreshments after the race provided by Great Harvest Bread, C&S Market, Aaron's Rentals and State Farm. Packet Pickup will be held at Garry Gribble's Running Sports in Lawrence on Friday, July 9, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Runners and walkers can enter online here or enter by submitting a completed race entry form, available on the Eudora Schools eFriday Folder. More information also is available on the cross country team's website. All registrations must be received on or before Thursday, July 8.
Runners will be eligible for age-group awards, overall male and female open and masters prizes and raffle drawing prizes. First place is a $50 Garry Gribble's Running Sports certificate, along with handcrafted art from the Frontier League Champion EHS art department.
All participants will be entered in a prize drawing for items donated from local businesses, including ice cream cakes from Dairy Queen, gift baskets from Avon, pedicures from Heads or Nails Family Salon, free meals from the Black Cat Cafe, T-shirts from DC Custom Cycles, $25 gift certificates from Closet 2 Closet, among other items.
"The race has something for everyone, including a friendly course for spectators," Boone said. "The shady park provides some relief from the heat for participants and spectators alike. Anthony's Restaurant will be open for anyone wanting coffee while they wait in the park for the finish of the race."
The annual Horsethief Run (formerly the CPA Run) is directed by the EHS cross country coaches and parents in honor of the early settlers of Eudora. It was originally run in conjunction with Eudora's CPA Picnic. CPA stands for the Central Protective Agency, a group founded in the early 1900s to deter cattle and horse thieves. A CPA member, in the event of a theft, was obligated to help hunt down the thief and exert justice. As members of the Anti-Horse Thief Association, the CPA helped maintain law and order in early Eudora.
The CPA Picnic is celebrated today with a carnival, golf tournament, games and parade. The 2010 picnic is scheduled for the weekend of July 22-24.
