The trails of Meeks Park will be filled Sept. 12 with runners, walkers and plenty of Scout spirit as Scouting America Troop 101 Blairsville prepares to host its Second Annual Run to Eagle 5K.
This walk/run benefit is open to participants of all ages and will allow community members to get active while supporting local Scouts and their year-round activities.
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Registration begins at 7 a.m. this Saturday, with the race scheduled to start at 8 a.m. Participants can preregister online or register at the event booth on race day. Each registered participant will receive a race day T-shirt.
Online registration is available at https://www.active.com/. Simply type “Run to Eagle 5K” into the search bar on Active’s home page, click “Search,” and the Blairsville-based event will be at the top of the results page.
The course will follow a predetermined route around Meeks Park, with arrows placed throughout the course to guide participants. Troop 101 Scouts will also be stationed along the route to cheer on racers and operate water stations.
Medals will be awarded to winners in each age group. The overall male and female winners will receive gift baskets from Brasstown Pharmacy Drug & Gun in Blairsville, along with an additional prize from another local business.
Pat’s Hallmark Shop and Moog are sponsoring this year’s race.
While the 5K offers a morning of exercise and friendly competition, its primary purpose is to raise money for the Scouts of Troop 101.
“What this money is used for is to give every Scout the same opportunity, whether some have the ability to pay for some of the trips or they don’t,” said Troop 101 Scoutmaster Joe Rosa. “We want every Scout to have the same opportunity, so if they can’t, the troop will pay for those trips for those kids.”
Funds raised through the event will also help cover things like Scout uniforms, books and other necessary supplies. The money can be used to replenish and repair equipment as well, such as life vests and canoes, and assist with upkeeping the troop’s facilities.
Troop 101 currently has about 30 Scouts. Like other Scouting America troops, the group is youth-led, with Scoutmasters providing guidance as Scouts learn skills in leadership, life and the outdoors.
The troop is already looking toward its next adventure. Rosa said Troop 101 hopes to take the Scouts on a high-adventure trip to a state park along the Gulf Coast, where they can experience camping, deep-sea fishing and other activities unique to the coastal environment.
“We try to get them out of the state a lot to show them there’s different things besides just Union County and Blairsville,” Rosa said. “We want them to experience other places besides just their local area.”
For Rosa, exposing Scouts to environments beyond the North Georgia Mountains is an important part of helping the children grow.
While the mountains provide plenty of opportunities to learn about the outdoors, traveling to a different environment can challenge Scouts to adapt, experience different ways of life and step outside of their comfort zones.
And the Run to Eagle 5K is one way the community can help make those experiences possible.
With the event entering its second year, organizers are hopeful that more people will participate now that word has begun to spread, with about 17 participants having preregistered so far.
Last year, about 37 people preregistered before race day, with another 45 participants registering as walk-ups. This year, Rosa hopes to see at least 100 racers take part.
For those interested in the 5K, remember to preregister at www.active.com for some fresh air and community connection, while also helping Troop 101 continue giving its Scouts opportunities to learn, explore and experience the world beyond their hometown.
