Run or walk for veterans Jan. 21

The Pike County American Legion Family will host the third 5K/10K Run/Walk fundraiser Jan. 21 to help support local veterans. Participants can choose between the 5K and 10K courses, both of which start at the Concord Gazebo to the front left of the Strickland Building in downtown Concord. Depending on the course, participants will enjoy sights of historic Concord, the old Norfolk-Southern railroad bed, scenic homes and the old Williamson Train Depot (located on Diastole Farms) as well as vistas of Pike County country roads, countryside and farm activity. Participants can walk, run or walk and run either course. ’It is not a race as there is no mass start. Participants can arrive and start at their leisure any time between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.,’ said Post 197 commander Bryan Richardson. ‘Once you have finished your walk/run sightseeing activities, you can check out the Legion Auxiliary Hot beverage and bake sale. This is a great family event or individual fitness workout.’ Registration is $35 up to and including on the day of event. All who register will get an event t-shirt featuring downtown Concord as well as free snacks and beverages. Each registrant is guaranteed a t-shirt. Those who register late or can not attend will get their shirt in the mail.Registration forms can be obtained by emailing pikepost197@gmail.com and requesting a form. Local merchants – especially those in the Concord area – who would like to help sponsor the event will get their business name on the shirt given out. Sponsors can give $50 for a White sponsorship, $100 for a Red sponsorship and $150 for a Blue sponsorship. The deadline is Jan. 11 for sponsors. ’The Pike County American Legion Family hopes that you will consider participating in this family or individual event,’ said commander Richardson. ‘Help make this a great event and continue to pave the way for additional Run/Walks around Pike County. The order of future America Legion Run/Walk events are Molena, Williamson, Zebulon, Meansville and Concord. You can conduct a ‘Tour de Pike’ participating at each of the five major Pike County cities.’