TAYLOR — The annual Rollie Hopgood Midtown Taylor 5K Run is scheduled for July 10 finishing in Heritage Park.
The 5K starts at 9 a.m. For the fourth year, the morning also will include a free Taylor Tot Trot around Coan Lake beginning at 8:15 a.m. A free 1-mile fun run will begin at 8:30 a.m.
The certified 5K course starts on Pardee Road in front of the Taylor Community Library and Sheridan Community Center, 12111 Pardee Road. The course takes runners north to Midtown Taylor on Goddard Road and then back to Heritage Park.
In the park, runners will travel a trail through a forest to a path surrounding Coan Lake, past a water mill, a one-room school house and a covered bridge.
Males and females run the 5K together. Each runner wears a D-Tag from the ChronoTrack system, which is used to time the race.
Bobblehead awards will be presented to the first overall male and female finishers, plus the master, grand master and senior grand master champions and then three-deep in numerous age groups. Walkers win awards as well.
The races, which are organized by the Downriver Runners club, are named in honor of the late Rollie Hopgood, a former Taylor councilman, teacher and director of the Downriver Runners prior to his death in March 2002. A large share of the proceeds benefits the Rollie Hopgood MFT & SRP Scholarship.
Early registration is recommended. The entry fee to the 5K is $20 by Saturday, by mail, in person at Total Runner, 15265 Dix-Toledo Road, or online at www.active.com. The fee is $23 from July 5 through 9 at Total Runner or $25 the day of the race during registration at Heritage Park. Checks should be made payable to Downriver Runners.
Those who pay the entry fee for the 5K also receive a short-sleeve technical shirt (while supplies last), refreshments and raffle prizes. Runners can take their bib number to Pete’s Place restaurant on Telegraph Road to receive a complimentary breakfast on race day or any time in the next month.
Race Director Greg Everal of Everal Race Management said participation in the 5K continues to grow, making it one of the most popular races Downriver.
“It’s an easy venue to get to,” he said. “The course is very nice. And it’s a big bang for the buck with breakfast, bobblehead awards and technical shirts.”
Sponsors of the event are the Downriver Runners, the city of Taylor and Midtown Taylor, Total Runner, Pete’s Place, Belcher Chiropractic Center and Dearborn Mid-West Conveyor.
For more information call Total Runner at (734) 282-1101 or visit www.everalracemgt.com.