CUBA CITY—To encourage more community involvement with the fifth annual Cuba City Family Fun Run, the route has changed to end on Main Street instead of at the Cuba City High School. The event is scheduled for Saturday, May 14.
“We’re hoping to draw people out and hopefully getting them involved with the downtown area,” Tami Gleason of the event committee said.
The race will begin at the Cuba City High School and end at the Presidential Courtyard, near the caboose, on Main Street. Officials will have Main Street blocked off from Clay to Calhoun Streets for the duration of the race.
City-wide garage sales will be held the same weekend.
“It’s a busy weekend for Cuba City,” Gleason said.
The kid’s fun run will take place first this year, starting at 8 a.m. at the high school track. The full race will begin at the high school at 8:30 a.m. and awards will be announced at the Presidential Courtyard following the completion of that event.
“We’re also trying to put together a wellness fair, too,” Gleason said.
The committee is coordinating vendor booths for local organizations and businesses that deal with health and wellness aspects. The vendors will be established in the courtyard area.
“We’re trying to get people out and get them involved,” Gleason said. “A lot of times, people feel that races focus on those running and competing, but we want to get people out and involved, to take advantage of the small town atmosphere. Hopefully we have great weather again.”
Last year, the committee decided to move the event date from mid-June to early-May to accommodate runners who may have already committed to compete in Dubuque’s Grandview Gallop in June. However, participation was down last year because student athletes were unable to participate if they were currently involved in track and field. Those students were able to volunteer at the event, though.
In 2015, there were 117 participants, down from 150 of previous years.
“Depending on how this year goes, next year we are looking at purchasing our own timing system,” Gleason said.
The group has previously used a timing system from Platteville and this year is renting from Mississippi Valley Runner Association.
The organizing committee are from both the Cuba City Chamber of Commerce and the Cuba City Schools. Proceeds of the event are divided among the groups. Sponsors help pay for advertising, medals and shirts. Fees are $10 for the kids run, ages 10 and under, and $25 for the 5K run. Those who register by May 4 receive a t-shirt included in the registration fee.
The 5K route starts at the Cuba City High School, travels south on S. School Street, west on W. Dewey Street, south on S. Brandy Street, east on Troy Street, south on S. School Street, east on West Truman Street, north on S. Jackson Street, east on W. Kelly Street, across Main Street, south on S. Washington Street, east on Jean Street, north on Cody Street, west on Kelly Street, north on S. Clinton Street, east on E. Calhoun Street, north on Lincoln Street, west on Sunset Drive, south on S. Clinton street, west on E. Clay Street and south on Main Street to the Presidential Courtyard.
