By Justin Damasiewicz
The Aberdeen and Hoquiam Parks Departments are working together to bring Grays Harbor County the 2014 Mayor’s Cup Race. The event is intended to promote interest in exercise through walking and running. By participating, elementary school students can help their school take home the Mayor’s Cup Trophy and earn $150 for their school library.
Aberdeen Mayor Bill Simpson and Hoquiam Mayor Jack Durney will both present the trophy to a representative of the winning school. The winning school will get to keep the trophy until next year’s race. Last year Aberdeen’s Robert Gray Elementary won.
The rules are simple. Racers will walk, jog or run 1.5 miles. Speed does not matter. Any grade school in Aberdeen or Hoquiam can be represented, and the school with the highest percentage of participants wins the prize. The percentage of participants will be determined based on the size of the school. The bigger the school is, the more participants will be needed to win.
The race is free to enter, and spectators are encouraged to attend and cheer on the children. Parents are welcome and encouraged to walk with the kids, but do not count toward the percentage of participants for the prize.
Participants should arrive at Eighth Street Landing (on the corner of Eighth Street and Levee Street) in Hoquiam between 12:30-1:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 23 to check in. The race is scheduled to begin at 1:15 PM.
The prize money has been donated by the event’s sponsor, Durney Insurance of Hoquiam.
If you have questions, contact Stacie Barnum from Aberdeen at 537-3248 or sbarnum@aberdeenwa.gov or Tracy Wood at 538-3970 or twood@cityofhoquiam.com.
“It’s a good way to get kids out and active in a healthy competition,” Wood said of the race. “There’s no pressure. The kids can walk. They don’t have to run unless they want to. The race is not timed. It is all about participation.”
According to Barnum, the event usually draws a crowd of around 75-100.
Mayor’s Cup Race
Eighth Street Landing in Hoquiam
February 23 at 1:15 p.m.
