Release: Hydrangea Festival 5K Run Set For June 5th

****2^nd ANNUAL HYDRANGEA 5K RUN SCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY, JUNE 5^TH THROUGH THE DECORATED STREETS OF DOUGLASVILLE – RACE REGISTRATION UNDERWAY ****

The annual Penny McHenry Hydrangea Festival will again feature the “Hydrangea Festival 5K Run” on Sunday morning, June 5^th.  The run will begin and end at the Douglas County Courthouse and proceed along streets decorated for the Festival.  The 5K run was a success in its first year, attracting 127 runners. 

            The Hydrangea Festival 5K Run will begin at 7 a.m. so that participants can run in cooler temperatures.  The route is as follows:

• Hospital Drive west from the Douglas County Courthouse to Freedom Island/Campbellton Street
• Campbellton Street north from Hospital Drive/Freedom Island to Spring Street
• Spring Street east from Campbellton Street to Fairburn Road
• Fairburn Road southeast from Spring Street to Dorris Road
• Dorris Road south to the Douglas County Courthouse.

There will be water stations for the runners at the Cultural Arts Council on Campbellton Street and at Gentiva Health Services on Spring Street.  The City of Douglasville Police Department will provide security and road closure services for the run.  Registration will begin at 6 a.m. on the steps of the Douglas County Courthouse.

            Walkers are welcome as well as runners.  Most of the 5K route has sidewalks for the walkers.

            Businesses and residences along the route are being asked to decorate mailboxes, fences, front doors, lamp posts and front yards to create a festive atmosphere for the runners.  The festival’s theme this year is “America, the Beautiful!” and that translates to a lot of red, white and blue!  Residents are requested to come out into their front yard and cheer the runners as they pass by.

            Douglas County Rogue Runners is organizing and producing the run on behalf of the Douglas County Tourism and History Commission.  The Rogue Runners are most probably best known locally for the Moonlight Run held every October in downtown Douglasville.

            Awards will be given in age categories on the steps of the Douglas County Courthouse immediately after the conclusion of the race.  In addition to the awards, Hydrangeas will be presented to the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd overall Male and Female; 1^st Male and Female Master; and 1^st Male and Female Grandmaster.  Full-color logo tech shirts will be given to all early adult registrations.  Youth shirts will be cotton t-shirts.  All participants will receive a specially designed medal at the course finish.  The 5K Run logo and medal were designed by Douglas County artist Rick Parker. 

            On-line registration is available at www.dcroguerunners.com or www.active.com.  Registration is $30 per person and $35 on race day.

            Gentiva Home Health & Hospice Family of Companies and Coca-Cola are co-sponsoring the Hydrangea 5K Run.

            Join the run and stay for the Festival!  The 9^th annual Penny McHenry Hydrangea Festival will include Artists and Home and Garden Markets; Garden Tours featuring Nationally recognized private gardens; National award winning Standard Flower Show; Unique Scarecrows in the Vegetable Garden; Quilt Exhibit; Miniature Gardens; Presentations from Garden Designers; and lots more!  The Festival is open from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday – Sunday, June 4^th – 5^th.  Detailed information on the Festival is available from www.PennyMcHenryHydrangeFestival.com. 

Thanks as always to Wes Tallon for the Great Info!