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Published on Friday, 20 July 2012 11:43

Elk City Football Boosters announce 5K run during Rodeo of Champions celebration, flag football tourney

Tyler Palmateer
Daily Elk Citian

Parades generally move slowly, inching along patiently to present everyone a glimpse of the floats, and every kid an opportunity to sweep up candy. 

This year, if Elk City runners want to get the “fast” out of their system before the 74th PRCA Rodeo of Champions Parade on September 1, they can do so at the Elk City Football Booster Club’s inaugural 5K Run/Walk, which is slated for a 9 a.m. start. 

If getting a run in before gorging on parade candy isn’t enough to entice entrants, football booster club members like Lory Kerr hope people will seize an opportunity to directly impact ECHS athletics. “All of the money the booster club raises goes straight to the kids,” Kerr said. “There are a lot of runners in Elk City, so what better than to have an event like this to get involved in?”

All the money the football booster club raises goes straight to the football program, and 25 percent of the club’s total funds goes toward the renovation of Big Elk Stadium. 

The race is complete with medals for all finishers, DG Production timing chips. It  begins just west of Big Elk Stadium, finishing on the track surrounding the football field. The top male and female finishers of the race will receive $100 in Chamber of Commerce Bucks, which can be used at select local businesses. 

Initially, Tawana Thomas and Tom Davis from the City of Elk City approached the football boosters with the interest of adding a 5K run to the Rodeo Days festivities, with the added positives being the visible Elk City landmarks the 5K route will lead runners past. Should the event attract interest of those from out-of-town, it would be a plus for the city and tourism. 

“People will be running by Ackley Park, our carousel, the pool, our museums, and the Five-Plexes,” Kerr said. “They’ll be right by our new high school and Pioneer Center, then back to the football field, right next to the rodeo grounds.” 

With help from the boosters, new football uniforms for the 2012 season were purchased, as well as the ECHS football website, the “Fifth Quarter” meals for players following games, senior gifts for players, food for players at the annual football banquet, and three $1,000 senior scholarships. 

Recently, one of the club’s biggest initiatives has been raising funds for Big Elk Stadium’s renovation, which will benefit more than just football, Kerr said. The planned facelift for the facility includes a resurfaced track, an artificial grass surface for the field initially, with new visitors dressing rooms planned for the second phase. 

“The football stadium is for Elk City. It’s for our track, cross country and soccer teams too. It’s not all about football,” Kerr said. 

Runners can register at www.signmeup.com/85940 or at www.elkcityfootball.com. Those interested may contact Lory Kerr at (580) 583-5826 or Salena Dixon at (580) 799-4992 for more details. 

FLAG FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT
To celebrate the return of football season, the Elk City Football Boosters will conduct a five-division flag football tournament August 25, at the Elk City Five-Plex, which will be followed by a football pep rally. 

The tournament, which comes with a $10 cost for players and a $2 admission fee for spectators, includes a “meet and greet” with the 2012-2013 Big Elk football players and cheerleaders before the championship games. 

The five divisions are as follows: third and fourth grade, fifth and sixth grade, seventh and eight grade, ninth through 12th grade, and adults (18 years of age and above). Registration forms are available at www.elkcityfootball.com.

Booster Club 5K run/Walk

When: September 1, 9:00 a.m.
Where: Race will start  west of football field on Patriot Road. 
Cost: $30 if registered by Aug 24 and $45 for late registration. Race day registration will be available. 
Who benefits? The Elk City Football program and Big Elk Stadium Renovation Project.
Registration: Register online at www.signmeup.com/85940. Forms are also available at www.elkcityfootball.com