Published: September 21, 2009 10:24 pm      

Greenway run set for Saturday

Organizers hope to raise money, project awareness

By DAVID A. MANN

David.Mann@newsandtribune.com

Whether you’re looking to break-in those new running shoes or wear out the old ones, you are invited to participate in the Ohio River Greenway’s 2-miler Saturday.

Runners, walkers and those with a tempo somewhere in the middle are welcome to participate. The event is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. Participants will begin at New Albany’s Riverfront Amphitheater and go down the Greenway to near the K & I Bridge and back.

The Ohio River Greenway is a federally funded project that seeks to connect riverfronts in New Albany, Clarksville and Jeffersonville along a continuous pedestrian and bicycle path. The 2-miler is a third-annual event, although for the last two years it has been known as the Greenway 5k and has been held in Clarksville and Jeffersonville.

The distance will be a bit shorter than the previous events, as a 5k is about 3.1 miles, said Shauna Graf, project coordinator.

As the various parts of the Greenway are completed, organizers hope to lengthen and stretch out the run between all three communities, said Graf.

Those registering the rest of the week can pay $20, but will not be guaranteed a T-shirt, which was given to early registrants. Race day registration is allowed, Graf said.

Forms and information are available at ohiorivergreenway.org.

The money raised by the event benefits the greenway project. However, Graf notes, that the race is more about raising awareness of the project than raising cash.

The project is federally funded. However, public support of the project is essential so that the area’s congressional representatives will ask for the funding, Graf said.

“I think we have been able to garner awareness for the project,” she said.

In its first year, about 96 people participated. Last year, about 200 entered the race. Organizers have a goal of about 300 this year, she said.

Rep. Baron Hill, D-Ind., one of the congressmen responsible for bringing funding to the project, participated in the run last year and is expected to do so again this year.