October Kicks off with 1065 and a 5k!

Sep 26th, 2016

MOBILE, Ala. - The Mobile Sports Authority, through partnerships with the Port City Pacers, Little Red Hen Productions, and the 1065 Music Festival will host the 2nd annual Mobile Sports Authority 5K & Fun Run on Saturday, October 1, 2016 in downtown Mobile. The 5K will start out with a bang at 8 a.m. followed by the one-mile Fun Run at 9 a.m. The "bang" will emanate from the Mobile County Health Department's newly-purchased circa-1900 cannon, which is being used to promote the department's new initiative, declaring "War on Physical Inactivity." Runners will take to their marks on the corner of Royal Street at St. Francis, following a flat trail course, and finish at Bienville Square.  

In 2015, following the last-minute news of the BayFest cancellation, the Mobile Sports Authority, Port City Pacers, and Little Red Hen Productions quickly united to rescue the popular BayFest 5K and Fun Run. "Last year, once we realized the cancellation of BayFest itself would also cause the cancellation of the popular BayFest 5K, we felt that as the sports event leader of the Mobile area, we needed to do something to continue the race, albeit under a different name. So we joined forces with the Port City Pacers to ensure that this fun event would continue," said Danny Corte, Mobile Sports Authority Executive Director.  

This year, the race, also known as the MSA 5K, will continue to host several runners/walkers and children as a family-friendly event in the heart of downtown Mobile. This years' race will be presented by the Alabama School of Math & Science's Heroes of Health. Heroes of Health is a student-led organization whose main goal is to spread awareness of health-care rights in the community.    

"I decided to start the club, Heroes of Health, at the ASMS this year in order to spread the awareness about health-care rights," said Heroes of Health President Leanne Jeong. "Heroes of Health is working with Partners in Health, which is an international organization that provides health-care systems around the world. I hope to make Heroes of Health a non-profit organization next year and start the club in other schools around the state of Alabama."  

Race participants may pre-register online at pcpacers.org or in person at Fleet Feet and Running Wild. In addition to tough competition, drinks and entertainment will be provided along the certified 5K course as well as food and drinks post-race. Each registered participant will receive a tech-fabric race shirt and an MSA swag bag. Awards will be presented to the top male and female in several categories including Overall, Masters, Grandmasters, Senior Grandmasters and Race Walkers.  

Early packet pick-up will take place on Friday, September 30th, at the Port City Pacers office (358 Morgan Ave.) from 12 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. On race-day participants may pick up their registration packets at Bienville Square from 5:30 a.m. though 7:45 a.m. For more information about the Mobile Sports Authority 5K and Fun Run, including registration, visit pcpacers.org or mobilesportsauthority.com.    

About The Mobile Sports Authority The Mobile Sports Authority (MSA) is a non-profit sports commission formed in 2008 by the Mobile County Commission. The main mission is to create a positive economic and public relations impact for Mobile County, the City of Mobile, and the region through attracting, hosting, managing and supporting sporting events. MSA is the main point of contact for sports and sports-related activities for the Mobile County area. For more information on MSA, please visit www.mobilesportsauthority.com.  

About The Port City Pacers The Port City Pacers (PCP) were organized in Mobile, Alabama in 1979 as a non-profit chapter of the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA). It was founded to educate Mobilians about the benefits of running. The club is committed to promoting and encouraging participation in road races. For more info, visit www.pcpacers.org