The Blaze Warrior Challenge is back for its second year. The 5K race and 1-mile fun run will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 12, the day before Mother’s Day. In honor of the annual family holiday, organizers encourage participants to run with their mothers!
The project will serve to raise funds for a new multi-purpose building at Blackman High School, a collaboration between the JROTC (Junior Officers Reserve Training Corps) and the wrestling and cheerleading teams at BHS.
“The JROTC put dibs on the last piece of buildable property at Blackman High School,” said Blackman JROTC Boosters vice president and cadet mother Kat McCauley. “Since then, the wrestling building burned.”
The wrestling team decided to put the insurance money from their destroyed building toward a combined effort with the JROTC’s existing plans to construct a building. These organizations, along with Blackman cheerleading team, have developed plans to break ground on a 250-by-80-foot building later this year at the school. This building will be sectioned into three portions: one for each organization to use for conducting practice and drills.
The 2017 Blaze Warrior Challenge included 175 runners, and organizers hope to further build on that fundraising effort this year. The registration fee for the 5K is $25, while the 1-mile kids fun run is $10.
Sponsored by Coca-Cola and Nobody’s Grille & BBQ, all participants will receive free post-race Cokes and hot wings, as well as the usual oranges, bananas and Gatorade from local Publix stores.
The May 12 race begins at Blackman High School on Blaze Drive. Strollers and leashed pets are both welcome in the event. Register for the Blaze Warrior 5K or 1-mile fun run on runsignup.com.
