Runners on the POPSICLE 5K RUN route through Mocksville.
On the first chilly Saturday in February, more than 200 people came out to support the S.U.R.F. Board Youth Grantmakers at the first annual POPSICLE 5K RUN! Runners traveled from all over the triad to participate. Upon arrival, participants were given a race t-shirt, goody bag and, in the spirit of the race, a popsicle. Before the race began, Cassidy Webb, S.U.R.F. Board member, welcomed everyone and gave a special “thank you” to the sponsors for the race. She mentioned the directional signs posted along the route with the sponsors’ logos. Cassidy encouraged the crowd to support these local businesses as they had been so generous in supporting young people in Davie County.
Lawson Stancil, 1st place winner.
“On your mark, get set, go!” Runners took off at Rich Park and traveled down Cemetery Street. As they passed the starting line, Taylor Nelson, S.U.R.F. Board member, excitedly passed off popsicles to runners. Many runners also chose to brave the cold and eat a popsicle at the half-way point. The course ran down North Main Street, onto West Church Street, and back to the Park through Park Avenue. After only 19 minutes and 15 seconds, the first place winner, Lawson Stancil, passed the finish line! Nelson Russ came across five seconds later and William Young came in third place at 19 minutes and 59 seconds. Volunteers stood at the finish line cheering incoming runners. Food donated by local businesses helped make the post-race experience even better for the participants. When the results came in, three S.U.R.F. Board members, Stephen and Robert Daniel and Cassidy Webb, had the honor of awarding medals to the first place male and female winners in each age category.
The crowd on February 4th at Rich Park.
The POPSICLE 5K RUN was truly a community effort. A great number of volunteers, sponsors, community members, and runners helped to make this event fun for all and a successful fundraiser. The S.U.R.F Board raised over $5,000 for their grantmaking fund! Over the past several years, the board has awarded grant money to youth-led projects which have focused on various needs including bullying awareness, food and clothing for those in need, and laptops for use by students without computers at home. The Board has also invested their time into packing bookbags at A Storehouse for Jesus and hosting after-school mentoring activities for youth at Central Davie Academy. The money raised from the POPSICLE 5K RUN will go to support other youth-led projects in Davie County. To apply for a grant from the S.U.R.F. Board, visit daviefoundation.org/surf. Applications are due February 24th. The Board is excited about the success of their first 5k fundraiser and has already set the date for the second annual POPSICLE 5K RUN. We hope to see you next year on February 2nd for another fun race!
