by Ashley Fowlkes
This year marks the 29th year that Bowling Green Noon Lions Club has hosted its annual Run For Sight 5K and 2-mile walk. To draw in the younger crowd, a 1-mile fun run for kids ages 12 and under was added to the schedule, making it an event that all members of a family can enjoy. Held annually on Labor Day at Covington Woods Park, Run For Sight serves the community by raising funds that are earmarked to assist people with eyesight issues who can’t afford the care they need. Club goals align with that of Lions Club International, an active service organization with over 1.4 million members worldwide, whose five global service areas are vision, hunger, the environment, childhood cancer, and diabetes.
Here are a few facts about the Run for Sight that you may not know:
- In addition to the 5K, a great race for seasoned runners as well as for those in training, the 2-mile walk is also a competitive event. Runners, walkers, and any wheelchair racers begin the race at the same time. 5K participants may complete the race by running or walking, but competitive walkers are only allowed to walk, keeping one foot on the ground the entire race.
- The race is chip timed and results are tallied with the assistance of Run Sign Up, who also handles online registration. Go to com and search for the race or go directly to this link (runsignup.com/Race/KY/BowlingGreen/RunForSight5K) to sign up.
- The kids 1-mile race is a “Bubble Run” that begins and ends with thousands of bubbles filling the air as a send off and as a welcome back to the finish line. It takes place after the 5K and walk race participants complete the course.
- The top three boys and the top three girls who complete the Bubble Run receive medals and gift certificates from Chaney’s Dairy Barn.
- The top three 5K male runners and top three 5K female runners all receive a plaque and a cash award.
- There are 13 age categories in the 5K, and eight age categories in the 2-mile walk. Gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded to the top three men and top three women in each category.
- All race participants attending the awards presentation are eligible for cash prize drawings that range from $20 to $100.
- Run for Sight is part of the bg3 series, which includes the Med Center Health 10K Classic (October 13) and the bg26.2 and Half Marathon (November 4). Those who run in all three races receive a commemorative bg3 medal. For more information on the other two races, check outthemedicalcenter10kclassic.com and www.bg262.com.
- Run for Sight is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the BG Noon Lions Club.
A number of business partners support the race each year, bringing the gift of sight to our local community. For the past several years, Dr. John Downing has been the race’s title sponsor, and his contribution to the field of eye health has been tremendous throughout his career. He has practiced ophthalmology in Bowling Green since 1971, the same year that he joined the BG Noon Lions Club. In addition to his work at Downing Eye Care, Dr. Downing has been long been involved in teaching ophthalmology residents both at Vanderbilt, where he is a clinical professor, and at the University of Louisville. Since Lions Clubs International has had as it major worldwide service the improvement of vision care and the prevention of unnecessary blindness, Dr. Downing has been actively involved in outreach work both stateside and abroad. He has volunteered for more than 20 missions with Orbis International, which has the world’s only flying eye hospital. Its mission is to teach ophthalmologists in developing countries new techniques. His most recent mission with Orbis was in June of this year in Linyi, China. To learn more about Dr. Downing and his practice, go to www.downingeyecare.com.
Lions strive to make a difference everyday, everywhere. Whether funding eye surgeries for those who cannot afford it or sponsoring free community eye screenings for preschoolers, club members work to meet a variety of local needs. Best of all, 100 percent of all funds raised go directly to activities that benefit others. If you’d like to be involved, plan on visiting one of our club meetings as a guest (free lunch on us!). Meetings take place most Tuesdays at noon in Cambridge Market’s banquet room.
To learn more about what we do, like our club’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/BgNoonLionsClub). You can also follow our race page on Facebook (www.facebook.com/BGRunForSight) or Twitter (@BGRunforSight). Hope to see you at the race this year!
About the Author:
Ashley Fowlkes has been a Bowling Green Noon Lions member since 2012 and is current club correspondence sececretary. She is also branch manager for the Bob Kirby and Smiths Grove branches of the Warren County Public Library.
