The race, scheduled for the Saturday following Labor Day, will be open to everyone -
runners, joggers, race walkers, fitness walkers and those who want to participate in support of the
Morris Memorial. The 3.1 mile run will follow an "out and back" course on Museum Road in Old
Chatham, with the Start and Finish line located between the Old Chatham Sheepherding Company
Inn and the Shaker Museum and Library.
"Thanks to the Old Chatham Sheepherding Company Inn and the Shaker Museum, we have the
most scenic location in the county for this type of event. The bucolic setting will surely attract
many runners from outside our area including the New York City and Boston vicinities" projects
Wood. The event will be promoted in regional and national running publications as well through a
special event page listed on the world wide web. There will be a 5K event as well as a 1 mile
event for youth 12 and under. Several hundred participants are anticipated.
Seven local businesses have joined together to sponsor this new fund raising initiative to benefit
the Morris Memorial, the Chatham-area's youth-serving agency. The "Community Sponsors"
include The Old Chatham Sheepherding Company Inn, Hudson Valley Orthopedic Associates,
Taconic Telephone, The Executive Line, Sonoco - Crellin, Hudson Valley Dermatology and
Shaklee Distributors
TRI-S Non-Toxic Products
& BCD Wellness Center. Each of these
major sponsors has contributed to the Morris Memorial to help underwrite the costs of The Old
Chatham Hunt Country 5K.
"These sponsors are all interested in the positive development of the Chatham community's young
people and we greatly appreciate the support they are providing the Morris Memorial" said Scott
Wood, President of the Morris Board of Directors. "Without their generosity, this event could not
be produced.
For an entry fee of $12, each participant will not only be supporting the Morris, but they will be
treated to a very special event offering upscale amenities, free T-shirts, great after-race
refreshments, live music along the course, an entrant's packet containing a variety of useful
articles, unique awards, free raffle tickets for door prizes, admission to the Shaker Museum and a
chance to see the Inn's farm, which is the nation's largest sheep dairy operation. There will be race
awards presented for overall winners and for age groups in both races, as well as for teams of two
entrants in the 5K.
An event Organizing Committee of 25 community members, including local business owners,
runners, fitness walkers, students and school representatives, parents and others interested in
advancing the Morris Memorial, began planning in October to ensure the race becomes a classic
charmer and "must do" event for running enthusiasts and local residents. "Our plans include
producing this event in "Hunt Country" fashion, reflective of the "classy, but country" style which
defines the Old Chatham area" said French. R. T. Blass, an Old Chatham-based advertising
agency, is assisting with the development of promotional materials.
The Morris Memorial offers after-school and weekend activities at it's Park Row youth center.
Kathy Williams, the new center Director has commenced a number of new programs since the
center reopened in October including special hours for elementary, middle and high school
students. She has also adopted a new code of conduct and has elicited youth input into program
and other decisions about center's operation and rules. Programming at the center includes
athletics, arts and crafts, performing arts, homework assistance, as well as a variety of board and
video games. The Park Row facility also serves as a positive place for young people to congregate
and simply "be themselves".
The agency also sponsors in-community youth sports programs including a fall recreational soccer
league serving over 300 girls and boys, the Chatham Gold Youth Track & Field and Cross
Country programs and traveling basketball teams.
The Morris Memorial serves youth from throughout northern Columbia County with the majority of youth coming from the Chatham School District and the Town of Ghent. The Morris Memorial receives funding from the Towns of Chatham and Ghent, the Village of Chatham, the Columbia County Youth Bureau, the New York State Division for Youth and the United Way of Columbia and Greene Counties. The balance of the budget is covered by donations from businesses and other interested individuals.
For additional information about the Old Chatham Hunt Country 5K call 392-5483 (evenings) or E-Mail Mark French
Additional information on racing can be found at the CoolRunning web site. Happy Running!