Annual race to benefit EHS cross country team
Monday, June 6, 2011
Eudora's annual Horsethief Run will take place on Saturday, July 9, raising money for the Eudora High School cross country team. Proceeds of the Horsethief Run support the team's training and travel expenses.
"This race has something for everyone — walkers, joggers, competitive runners," said head cross country coach Paul Boone. "Our team's goal is to provide an opportunity for everyone to improve their fitness and have fun."
The race is USATF-certified and begins and ends at Eudora's shady CPA park at 9th 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.
Before June 23, the registration fee is $25 per person, or $45 for three people if registered together. After June 23, only individual registrations are available, at a rate of $30 per person. Fees include a commemorative race T-shirt, as well as refreshments after the race.
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.
Runners in the 5K race will be eligible for age-group awards, overall male and female open and masters prizes and raffle drawing prizes. All participants will be entered in a prize drawing for items donated from local businesses. Any local businesses who would like to sponsor may send an e-mail to horsethiefrun@gmail.com.
"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."
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 2011 picnic is scheduled for the weekend of July 21-23.
