For the last 20 years, Auburn and Opelika residents have been running for a cause. The “Love Your Heart Run” was first created in 1989 by the East Alabama Medical Center to benefit their Cardiac Care Unit.

Seven years ago the run was handed over to the Exceptional Outreach Organization, which supports therapeutic programs in Lee County, who made the run their primary fundraising event.

Two years ago, the Exceptional Outreach Organization added the “Crank Your Heart Ride” to the event.

“We added the ‘Crank Your Heart Ride’ in 2008 because we knew there was a need for another biking event in our area,” said Committee Chair Jessie King. “Also, many individuals who run also bike and our event allows participants to both run and ride in the same event.”

King added that when the Exceptional Outreach Organization added the “Crank Your Heart Ride” to the event that they were also looking for a way to enhance the “Love Your Heart Run” without moving the event from Chewacla State Park. They also wanted to increase the funds raised each year.

“The response to the ‘Crank Your Heart Ride’ has been amazing, with 85 participants in 2008, and 125 participants in 2009,” King said.

Both of these fund raising events benefit children and adults with special needs that participate in Lee County Special Olympics, Best Buddies of Auburn University and other therapeutic related programs, such as the summer Therapeutic Camp and the Shining Knights Specials Needs Cheer leading Team.

Entry fees for the event are $16 for pre-registration, before Jan. 29, or $20 on the day of the race.

King said that the summer camp costs $140 per camper and $95 for each additional sibling. The camp benefits include seven hours of quality supervision per day, physical fitness activities, weekly field trips, arts and crafts, and more.

“In short, the entry fee [for the event] of $16 for those who pre-register and $20 for day-of registrants, pays for a week of camp for a one of our campers,” King said.

The “Love Your Heart Run” is offered through a 1 mile and 6.4 mile (10 K) route through Chewacla State Park. The 6.4 mile route begins and ends inside Chewacla State Park. For local runners, the event planners are reviving an “old” course that allows runners a challenging return climb to the summit of Chewacla State Park. Participants may run or walk the event.

The “Crank Your Heart Ride” is offered through 3.5 mile, 11 mile and 22 mile riding distances. The 3.5 mile route rides through the Charlotte and Curtis Ward Bike Path. The path is separated from the roadway (Shell Toomer Parkway) and is set back into the woods. The Path crosses two streams, and is a good route for beginning riders and children. The 11 and 22 mile routes follow winding bike lanes. The 22 mile riders complete the 11 mile route twice.

A rest station will be provided at the halfway point of both routes. Each ride ends with a gradual, yet challenging, climb to the summit of Chewacla State Park.
King said on average there are usually around 500 participants for both events. The majority of participants run in the 10k or 1 mile fun run/walk.
Last year the event had a record 625 participants for both events.

“In 2009 we had 476 run, 116 ride and 33 do both the run and ride,” King said.

King said that special participants this year include the four Special Olympic athletes that have been chosen to represent Lee County at the “2010 National Special Olympics” in Lincoln, Neb., which are held once every four years. These four participants will announce the start of the 2010 “Love Your Heart Run.”
Aubie and the Auburn University Cheerleaders will also attend the event.

King added that even if a person can’t make the event and still wants to participate, they can.

“Many of our supporters will sign up to run or ride even if they will be out of town because our cause is something they feeling strongly about supporting,” King said. “If this happens, and a participate in unable to attend the event, we will have an after event packet (race/ride T-shirt, etc.) pick-up for these individuals. This is a great way to support our cause even if running a 10k or riding 3.5, 11, or 22 miles is not your idea of fun.”

The organization is hoping to raise at least $10,000 this year.

“We have had success reaching this goal in the last three years and we are hoping to reach it again this year,” King said. “The most funds we have ever raised from a single event is $12,000.”

Alison Hall, community programs director for the City of Auburn Parks and Recreation and committee co-chair, said that she believes this event is important because it is an opportunity to raise funds for some valuable programs in this community, and raise awareness about the area’s special needs community.

“We have a lot of special needs citizens in our community and they need and want to be active in our community, just like everyone else,” Hall said. “They want to attend summer camp, they want to be active in sports and competition and they want to hang out with their college buddies. These programs give them that opportunity, and in turn, give those of us who are involved or volunteer just as much, if not more.”

The “Love Your Heart Run” and “Crank Your Heart Ride” will take place on Saturday, Feb. 6, at Chewacla State Park. Awards will be presented to the top three males, top three females overall and the top three finishers in each age group for the 10K. Awards will also be presented to the top three overall finishers in the 1 mile race.

Participants can download registration forms at loveyourheartrun.com or they can register at active.com. Each pre-registered participant will receive a long sleeve T-shirt. If participants miss pre-registration, registration for the run begins at 6:15 a.m. the day of the event. The 10K run starts at 7:45 a.m. and the 1mile starts at 8 a.m. The “Crank Your Heart Ride” registration starts at 8:30 a.m. the day of the event. The 3.5 mile ride starts at 9:30 a.m. and the 11 mile and 22 mile rides start at 9:45 a.m. This is a rain or shine event.

Hall added that one of her favorite moments of the event was last year was when one of the Special Olympic athletes crossed the finish line, high-fived with her college buddy, and said “That was awesome!” Hall said that she then stayed for a while at the finish line and cheered on those that continued to cross.

“The atmosphere at the event is exciting and invigorating!,” Hall said. “So many are there for the competition and the challenge of the course, but just as many or more are there to support all of these programs. This event has such a great spirit to it – it’s very catching!”