By Jay Radford
What is “Not So Normal” about another 5k race you ask? What could possibly make this one any different? You get a shirt, one non-profit gets some money, a race director gets paid, you have a run on a Saturday or Sunday morning and then you head home. Well in its Inaugural year the Not So Normal 5k raised money for 27 different local non-profits, sure you got a shirt but it was an awesome shirt and it came in a swag bag full of really cool stuff, the race director didn’t get paid a dime (never will), and this 5k saw 470 runners in its first year bring to a close a full weekend of fun and philanthropy. At its core the Not So Normal 5k became a celebration of community and philanthropy, with a little exercise thrown in; and this year it is back and bigger and better than ever.
In an effort to build on the strong foundation laid in its Inaugural year the 2015 Not So Normal Run +Fun will feature a 5k (on a very flat and fast course), a 10K (with prize money to the winners), and a Half Marathon; all in Carrboro. This year those races will benefit three amazing local non-profits: The Carrboro ArtsCenter, The Chapel Hill/Carrboro PTA Thrift Shop, and The Super Cooper Little Red Wagon Foundation. In addition, as part of the entry fee into the races, we will benefit PORCH, TABLE, and Book Harvest. Through our unique “Run for What Moves You Program” over 25 additional, local non-profits and schools are forming teams to run the races and raise money for the cause they are most passionate about. These are all local non-profits doing important, tangible work in our local community.
Elise Herman, director of Super Cooper, offers a very real picture of how the Not So Normal Run +Fun impacts her incredible organization: “Super Cooper’s Little Red Wagon Foundation is honored to be part of the Not So Normal Run and be a recipient of the funds raised from such a unique event. All of the Not for Profits benefiting from the run rely greatly on these type of fundraising efforts! 100% of the money raised from this event goes directly towards our efforts in supporting children and their families traveling from hours away for pediatric cancer treatment at UNC and Duke. It will help give them lodging, put food on the table, and hopefully relieve at least some of the stress that comes with knowing your child is fighting for his/her life! Literally every penny raised counts and really means a lot!”
So how is this all possible? What does it take to make an event of this magnitude happen? It takes a Town’s leadership, a vibrant community, and local businesses recognizing the uniqueness of this event and stepping up to support it, on many levels. Founding Partners Fleet Feet Sports, Townsend Bertram and Company, 300 East Main in Carrboro, Chapelboro, and Sportoften have been amazing in their encouragement, guidance, and support of this truly ambitious undertaking.
“It’s absolutely wonderful to see the Not So Normal’s energy and commitment to Carrboro. Its passion for running and Carrboro combine to serve a sense of community that Fleet Feet Sports is very proud to be a part of. This historical event will have a huge impact on the Carrboro running and fitness community, and we couldn’t be more proud to call The Not So Normal Run +Fun a friend and partner in its efforts.” Brian White, Owner Fleet Feet Carrboro and Durham
“The Not So Normal Run +Fun speaks to Townsend Bertram & Company’s core values: community, adventure, passion, quality, and fun! We love the opportunity to be active outdoors with awesome people supporting nonprofits in Carrboro. As a locally owned adventure outfitter, we are excited to help outfit, encourage and join all the event’s participants”, Betsy Bertram, General Manager.
So make plans to come join us in the races and the events. Remember, you don’t have to register to run a race to partake in the events, we’re cool like that. Please check the Not So Normal Run + Fun’s website, www.notsonormalrun.org, for all the events in great detail, but here is an overview of all the fun coming to Carrboro:
Thursday, May 14th: Weekend kickoff party from 6-9pm. Check the website for details
Friday, May 15th: Fashion Show and various “TED-type” talks around town
Saturday, May 16th: Packet and Swag Pickup Party from 1-6pm followed by the Not So Normal Pre-Race Dinner at 16 different local restaurants each benefitting a different local non-profit
Sunday, May 17th: WE RUN! We will say go at 8:00 am Sharp. Register early through www.sportoften.com as all of these races are sure to sellout quickly.
