By ANNE WOOD
Village Living
The annual Village2Village run weaves through the villages of Mountain Brook every January, but each year introduces a new route.
“You never know which hills you are going to have to go up and which ones you are going to get to come down,” said Britt Redden, who has participated in the run twice. “It is always very challenging and always best that I don’t ‘ride’ the course before the race.”
This year’s race is set for Jan. 21.
Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce President Steven Hydinger said that the pretty yet challenging course brings people from inside and outside of Mountain Brook to spend time in the neighborhoods.
“It is a lot of fun to see friends and neighbors challenging each other to do the 10K race,” he said. “The 1-mile Run is great [for kids] as well.”
“I love that you are running with so many people that you know and that you pass so many people on the way,” Redden said. “You see many families out in their front yards cheering you on.”
The race has averaged about 700 runners over the past five years, but their goal is to break 1,000 runners. Race director Beth Nigri said they started promoting the run earlier this year and using social media in addition to posters and road signs to attract more participants.
The run’s After Party will be held in the parking lot of the Western shopping center. The event will support the Chamber’s “Buy Local” initiative.
Proceeds from the run will be split between the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce and the Spartans Helping Spartans Pleasant Grove relief effort.
Runners who pre-register for the race will receive a t-shirt and a bag with items donated by merchants. In addition, there will be prizes given to the winners in each division.
The 10K will start at 8 a.m. and the 1-mile Fun Run at 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 21 in Mountain Brook Village.
To register for the Village2Village 10K or 1-mile Run, visit http://villagelivingonline.wordpress.com/www.active.com or stop by The Fitness Center, 3900 Montclair Road, #210, or Dr. Kevin Alexander, D.M.D.’s office, in Crestline.
