Knights of Columbus’ Tootsie Roll 5K helps MCS students

MADISON – A quote from St. Pope Gregory the Great summarizes the objectives for the upcoming Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll 5K: “When we attend to the needs of those in want, we give them what is theirs, not ours.”

Runners (and walkers) can register now for the fifth annual Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll 5K, which benefits students in the Special Education Program in Madison City Schools.

The Tootsie Roll 5K is now a certified 5K course with USA Track and Field. Council 10232 and Council 17519 with Knights of Columbus in Madison are coordinating the run, which is affiliated with Knights of Columbus’ nationwide campaign.

The run date is Nov. 5 from 8 to 10 a.m. Anyone planning to register on race day should arrive by 7 a.m. Instead of running, participants can walk the route.

“Know, that by participating, you are contributing to your local community. We especially want to give a shoutout to those who have participated in the past. We hope that you will continue to support our race and the students of the Special Education Program of Madison City Schools. If you cannot participate, please do consider offering a donation,” according to Knights of Columbus organizers.

The start and finish lines are at Madison City Schools Stadium, 211 Celtic Drive. The race route will follow Celtic Drive to its dead end at Landers Road. Going east, runners will continue on the transition to Will Halsey Way. The route then proceeds north on Hughes Road and turns left (west) on Mill Road. Runners will turn left (south) on Church Street, cross the railroad tracks to Main Street, and turn left (south) on Wise Street.

In the final stretch, the route ‘jogs’ briefly east on Martin Street to turn right on Landers Road. Runners then will turn right on Celtic Drive and proceed to the finish line at the stadium.

Three options are available for packet pickup:

* Fleet Feet –181 Hughes Road. Nov. 3, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

* Black Patch Distilling — 500 Lanier Road, Suite 3C. Nov. 4, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

* Race Day — Madison City Schools Stadium, 211 Celtic Drive. Race day is Nov. 5; arrive at 7 a.m. to receive packet before the run.

Race fee is $30 plus a signup fee of $2.74. Registration ends Nov. 1 at 11:59 p.m. To register, visit runsignup.com/Race/Info/AL/Madison/KofCTootsieRoll5K.

For more information about St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, visit sjbcatholicchurch.org.