Smiles, laughter, sprinting and walking, cold brews, sunshine (albeit chilly), cornhole and games, music and more were on tap Sunday at the fifth annual Rocket City Microthon at Campus 805.
Several hundred youngs and olds gathered to have fun and support the Merrimack Hall creative arts center. Founded in 2008 with one weekly dance class for 10 children with special needs, the center has grown to more than two dozen classes serving hundreds from north Alabama. Classes include visual arts, theatre, dance and music. Events are held year-round, as are fundraisers including the Microthon, a golf tournament at The Ledges and the Rocket Chef culinary competition.
SEE: Photos from the Rocket City Microthon
Kiddos sprinted across the green because, well, it’s a race with a starting line and finish line. Most adults, however, were happily content to stroll and laugh, enjoying each other’s company while making sure to not spill any delicious nectar from Yellowhammer Brewing or Straight to Ale.
Billed as the city’s most prestigious event for “the least elite non-athletes,” the annual Microthon participants get a t-shirt and numbered bib just like a real race. No times are kept. Why? Because this is a fun event and not a competition. When you have dancing dinosaurs and sharks, music and a Finisher’s Medal that doubles as a bottle opener (very handy!), the arduous trek of the 0.12 microthon — that’s 383 feet for us mathmatically challenged folks — fun is the main event.
Sponsors included Nesin Therapy, Stella’s Elixir Lounge, 1st Edge, Torch Technologies, Cumulus Media, Thompson Gray, Fleet Feet, Bearded Warriors, Bank Independent and Iron Mountain Solutions.
