ROSINTON — “Flash, Flash, It’s Our 15th Dash,” is the theme for Rosinton School’s 15th Annual Armadillo Dash 5K and fun run, which is set for Saturday, March 7 at the school on County Road 64, east of Loxley.
The Armadillo Dash started out as a major fundraiser for the Rosinton Runners, a group started 16 years ago by science teacher Lonnie Hughes and currently sponsored by physical education teacher Whitney Stephens. Now funds raised from the event benefit the entire school.
The theme for this year’s race comes from a character in the movie Zootopia, a sloth, Stephens said, who will be featured on the poster and T-shirts used to promote the event.
“Whether you’re a runner or not, we want everyone in the community to come out and be a part of this event,” Stephens said. “This is our biggest fundraiser of the year. On average we raise about $3,000 to $5,000 for the benefit of the entire school and the community.”
In addition to the race, there will be a cake walk, a silent auction with themed baskets as a fundraiser for each classroom, an inflatable and entertainment provided by local DJ Brad Giles.
Food items will be available, including Chick-Fil-A sandwiches and drinks available for purchase after the race. Additional items will be provided by the Rosinton School Parent-Teacher Organization.
“We have such a fantastic group of parent volunteers this year,” Stephens said. “We couldn’t do it without them.”
Stephens said proceeds from the event will benefit the Rosinton Runners group. The group, which is open to students in grades 4 to 6, meets for practice weekly with the goal of participating in about one 5K run per month, Stephens said. Club members are required to participate in three events throughout the school year, one of which is the Armadillo Dash. This year’s Armadillo Dash is expected to draw about 150 runners, she said.
Stephens is in her 10th year organizing the event, adding that in her tenure at Rosinton, more than 500 runners have come through the club.
Early registration, before Feb. 28, costs $15 for students, $20 for adults. After Feb. 28, pre-registration, up until race day costs $20 for students, $25 for adults. Race-day registration costs $25 for students, $30 for adults.
Make checks payable to Rosinton School. Completed forms can be mailed to Rosinton School, 19757 County Road 64, Robertsdale, AL 36567 or register online at runsignup.com (https://runsignup.com/Race/AL/Robertsdale/ArmadilloDash5K).
Registration and packet pickup will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, March 6 and from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Saturday, in the Rosinton School gym. 5K/Walk begins at 9 a.m., fun run starts at 10 a.m. Trophies will be awarded for first, second and third place female and male overall and walkers, medals will be awarded for first, second and third place female and male in nine age groups from 0-7 to 36-40, plus Masters, Grandmasters and Senior Grandmasters; and to first, second and third place fun run participants. Participation ribbons will be awarded to all participants.
The 5K race features a sanctioned 3.1-mile road course through the rural terrain of the Rosinton Community which is mostly flat with a few small hills. A 1-mile fun run will be held immediately following the 5K run at approximately 9:45 a.m.
Stephens said plans are to eventually add a 10K course and a variety of vendors to create a festival-type atmosphere.
“We want this to be something that the entire community can come out and be a part of,” she said. “As always, we want to thank all of our sponsors, and volunteers with the Rosinton Fire Department, Styx River Fire Department and Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, who help with the set up and course safety, along with the town of Loxley and city or Robertsdale for helping to sponsor the event.”
