The yearly “Trash Dash” in support of Sustainable Tallahassee happens this Saturday (10/28) on one of the Southeast’s best cross-country courses. Advance registration for the event is already well ahead of previous years.
Jim Davis will soon be stepping down as Sustainable Tallahassee’s executive director, so this will be the last Trash Dash under his watchful eye.
“This will be the seventh annual Trash Dash,” he said. “The first couple of years we actually ran through the landfill and this will be the 5th year run through the cross country course they have out next to the landfill.”
Local running enthusiast Meg Treat agreed the Apalachee Regional Park Cross-Country Course is among the best in the Southeast.
“Oh, this course is just beautiful!,” Treat exclaimed. “And it’s very unique. You can race here in Tallahassee 50 out of 52 weeks a year, and this is one of the only races you can do on a true, championship cross-country course. Most of your typical races are going to be out on the road, which is beautiful to run our streets of Tallahassee. But this is something unlike any other 5K here in town.”
For instance, there’s actual up-and-down topography to add to the challenge of the course, as well as magnificent, densely wooded surroundings. Davis believed that has helped contribute to the popularity of the run and why advance registration this year is well ahead of where it’s been in the past.
“Probably close to 50% ahead of where we were this time last year,” he estimated. “I think being a Grand Prix Race accredited by the Gulf Winds Track Club has really helped out a lot. A lot of people want to get those points and they’re going to be out there. It’s that first time to expose some of these people to the track and to Sustainable Tallahassee.”
Davis said there’s still plenty of time to sign up.
“Basically you have a couple of options: you can go online to: www.sustainabletallahassee.org and register through that. You can also go to: www.raceit.com and you can also register the day of the race also.”
All of which is coming up this weekend.
“It is this Saturday and the race starts at 9:00 a.m. If you haven’t pre-registered you should come a little early. Also going on that day, the National Junior College Association is going to have a preliminary race at 8:00 a.m. so those that might want to come out and watch some runners that are at collegiate level it’s a good opportunity for that also.”
Of course the Trash Dash is a big raiser of both money and awareness for Sustainable Tallahassee. And Davis hoped the runners will help support the cause in one more way.
“We’re also asking people to bring their old tee-shirts that they no longer use anymore. We have a group that actually takes those and sews them into produce bags that a local food bank uses to hand out to those in need instead of using plastic bags. And we’re also asking people to give old shoes or trophies that (they’re no longer using). Again they can go to help charities and other organizations.”
Once again proving the old saw that one person’s trash is another person’s treasure.
