Runners and walkers alike should get ready for the 30th Annual Spring Fever Chase, scheduled for Saturday, March 15, in Fairhope. This 10K run and 2-mile fun run/walk, sponsored by Thomas Hospital and Wachovia takes the serious runners and the not-so-serious walkers on a beautiful and challenging course through the neighborhoods of Fairhope overlooking Mobile Bay.
Registration is currently under way with the early registration deadline set for March 7. The entry fee for the 10K and 2-mile fun run/walk is $15 by March 7 and $20 after March 7. The entry fee for the 2-mile fun run/walk only is $12 by March 7 and $17 after March 7.
All race participants will receive a race T-shirt featuring original art by Fairhope artist Ameri´ca. Race winners will receive signed prints of Ameri´ca’s work, with top finishers receiving framed prints.
“Since the first race, the Spring Fever Chase T-shirt and poster have featured commissioned artwork by a local artist,” Diana Brewer, director of public relations and marketing at Thomas Hospital said.
Another important component of the Spring Fever Chase is the school program, which involves a friendly competition for prize money among Baldwin County schools. The race offers a special registration fee of $9 for school participants who sign up under their school’s name. The fee for adults registering through the school program is $12. All schools will receive $1 for each participant that registers through the school. Schools with fewer than 25 registrations will receive $25 for participation in the program. A cash award will be presented to the school with the highest percentage of participants. Students must pre-register by March 5 to be eligible for the school program. Race T-shirts and numbers will be delivered to the schools the week prior to the race.
Day of race registration will begin at 6:30 a.m. at registration tables located at the intersection of Bayview Street and Fairhope Avenue near the starting line.
Pre-registered runners and walkers may pick up race shirts and numbers on Friday, March 14 at Wachovia, 2535 U.S. Highway 98 in Daphne, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and at the Thomas Hospital Wellness Center in Fairhope from noon to 7 p.m. Race shirts and numbers will also be available at the registration tables the morning of the race. Depending on supply, participants who register the day of the race may not receive a T-shirt on race day.
Awards will be presented to race winners during the post-race party on the bluff on South Mobile Street near the finish line, overlooking Mobile Bay. Coca-Cola Bottling Co. and Kentwood Springs Water Co. Inc. will provide refreshments.
Awards will be presented to the top three overall men and women finishers, the top three wheelchair participants, the top three race walkers and the first master’s man and woman in the 10K race. The top three finishers in each of 15 age categories for men and women in the 10K will also receive trophies. The top three finishers in the 2-mile fun run will be awarded trophies.
A $250 cash award will be presented for a course record in the male division, female division and wheelchair division of the 10K race. The standing records are 30:01 (minutes:seconds) for the male division, 36:06 for the female, and 29:48 for the wheelchair division.
There will be two grand prize drawings this year from Meyer Real Estate and the Beach Club in Gulf Shores. Meyer Real Estate will give away three-night accommodations in a Gulf-front condominium along the Alabama/Florida Gulf Coast. The Beach Club in Gulf Shores will provide three-day, two-night accommodations in a two-bedroom condominium. The grand prize drawings will be held during the awards ceremony after the races. Only participants who register by March 7 are eligible for the drawing. Participants who register through the school program are not eligible for the grand prizes. Registered race participants do not need to be present to win.
Race applications are available in all offices of Wachovia in Baldwin County and Mobile. Race applications are also available at Thomas Hospital Wellness Center, Thomas Medical Center in Daphne, YMCA branches and local sporting goods stores. Participants can also pre-register online, or download and print applications at www.thomashospital.com. For more information regarding the Spring Fever Chase, call 990-1518.
