Community, faith to be celebrated at annual Meadow Brook Runs
2013 Meadow Brook Runs
Saturday, Dec. 14
9 a.m. 5K, 10 a.m. Fun Run
Aliant Bank, 1100 Corporate Parkway
The yearly Meadow Brook Runs is like a Christmas party. Runners have the chance to dress festively, eat plenty of food, take home prizes from local sponsors and enjoy a run on a beautiful lakeside course.
The 5K and 1-mile Fun Run have been part of Meadow Brook’s Christmas traditions for 19 years, and about 400 runners and 150 sponsors participated in the 2012 race.
Meadow Brook Runs was started by Dr. Robert Cosby to support his Jesus Video Project of Alabama (JVPOA), which seeks to spread the Christian gospel to Alabama residents through email, social media, videos and other media. Cosby was already a runner and knew members of the Birmingham Track Club, so he organized the race and ran it from his home for the first few years.
A strong Christian element to the race remains. Voluntary donations to the JVPOA are encouraged, and local churches put up banners and add items to gift bags and giveaways. The runners pray before the race starts, and organizers release between 50 and 100 white doves. Cosby said the race is intended to be a family-friendly, Christian environment to celebrate the holidays.
“We try to promote Christian values and Jesus Christ as best we can,” Cosby said.
After the race, runners stick around to enjoy food provided by area restaurants, including the Melting Pot, Papa John’s and Smoothie King. Prize drawings include everything from T-shirts and gift cards to flat-screen televisions, and nearly everyone who stays after the race is guaranteed to win a prize.
Many runners have become friends over the years, thanks in part to Cosby’s efforts to create a Meadow Brook Runs Facebook page that gives runners the chance to connect with each other before and after race day.
“So many times, you go to a race and see a few people you know and a horde of people you don’t know,” Cosby said. “I’d like to be personal friends with everybody who ever comes to the race.”
Cosby said that many families now consider it a Christmas tradition to take part in Meadow Brook Runs.
Daryl and Christy Ingram and their children, Michael and Meagan, started participating four years ago when they decided to get healthier as a family and an employee at Fleet Feet Sports suggested the race as a starting point. Although they now participate in a few other runs throughout the year, the Ingrams return to the Meadow Brook Runs because it is a fun part of their holiday season.
“We just like it. The weather’s cool, and it’s just a happy atmosphere,” said Christy Ingram.
The 2013 Meadow Brook Runs will be Saturday, Dec. 14, starting at Aliant Bank at 1100 Corporate Parkway, with official timing provided by the Trak Shak. After the race, awards will be given to the top three male and female finishers in each age category.
Runners can register up until the morning of the race, but pre-registering by Dec. 6 will guarantee a souvenir T-shirt. For more information, contact Dr. Robert Cosby at 991-6054 or JVPOA@juno.com.