Sunday, December 8, 2013

December 8th - THANK YOU!

A huge thank you to everyone that participated yesterday.  I know the weather scared a lot of people off:(
So we had a lot against us, the SEC championship game, the Alabama State Football playoffs, and the weather.  We still were able to donate over 200 toys to the Marine's Toys for Tots Organization.  At least we had FUN!

Here is the link for the results from Lightning Sports Racing:
http://www.lightningsportsracing.com/results.aspx

Thank you again.

Friday, December 6, 2013

December 6th - Tomorrow is Race Day!!!

Today is early packet pickup at Big Dog in Auburn starting at noon. You can bring your toy with you so you don't forget it tomorrow.

We will have race day registration, same price $20 for the 10K and 5K, $10 for the mile.  I have extra shirts but can't guarantee you will get one.

The race will proceed even it if rains The only thing that will prevent the race is thunder and lightening - which is NOT going to happen.

House keeping - I do not recommend bringing dogs to this race. We have a lot of participants and some of the areas get crowded.

The club's insurance does not cover strollers - however there have been participants at nearly every race with strollers. In other words we will not prevent you from running the race with a stroller.

This is NOT a closed course. There will be traffic, although not that much as it is very early on a Saturday, and the course is in a fairly quiet neighborhood.

Thank you again to everyone that is participating, volunteering (we have plenty and they are well organized thanks to Brandy McCulloch), and to all of our sponsors.

We will have FUN!

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

December 3rd

If you have not registered and still want to you can:
1.  Go to Big Dog in Auburn and register.
2.  Register the day of the race at the High School.
Please remember I can't guarantee a shirt if you are not already registered.
See you Saturday.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

November 24 - Happy Thanksgiving!

Two weeks before the races - Yeah!

Fun fact, this is the 14th year AORTA has sponsored the Toys for Tots races.  We are very excited to have the Auburn JROTC partnering with us this year.  There will be over 30 students from Auburn on the course.

If you have never participated in a race before you might want to take advantage of the early packet pickup at Big Dog in Auburn on Friday.  This will be from noon until 6:00 CST.

If you are not able to do early packet pickup please be at the high school by 7:00 to get your packet.  We are using chip timing for the 5k and 10k, provided by Big Dog.  This means the results will be available at the end of the race.  We will post the link to the results on this page, on the Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/160366804004035/), and on the AORTA web page (http://www.auburnrunning.org/).

There will be prizes for both the 5k and 10k (top 3 in age groups, both male and female, and masters).

Every participant is required to bring a toy.  PLEASE DO NOT WRAP THE PRESENT.  The marines will be coming to take the toys to the local Toys for Tots chapter after the race.  They need to know what the present is so they can get it to the right age group.

We will have a photographer taking pictures.  In your packet will be his card with the url of where you can view/purchase pictures.

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me.

Have a great Thanksgiving and see you soon!




Wednesday, November 20, 2013

November 20th

Big shout out to Dr.  Jennifer Spencer - she is responsible for getting quite a few vet students signed up for the races - THANK YOU!!!

Early packet pickup will be available Friday from noon until 6:00 at Big Dog in Auburn.  You will also be able to register at Big Dog all day on Friday.


758 E Glenn Ave, Auburn, AL 36830
(334) 209-2580


The 5k and 10k will start at 7:30 on Saturday, December 7th at the Auburn High School on Dean road.  Plenty of parking in the South parking lot - the gym will be open. 

DAY OF RACE REGISTRATION WILL BE AVAILABLE - starting at 6:30 Saturday morning.

Please keep in mind, if you do not register by this Saturday you are NOT guaranteed a shirt.

It is getting close!!!!

Sunday, November 17, 2013

November 17th - it is getting really close!

Major stress - only 3 more weeks.  Each year I stress about the races and this year is no different.  I always worry that either no one will show up or there will be a horrible storm the day of the race, blah, blah, blah.

I have extended the Active on-line registration until Saturday, November 23rd.  

http://www.active.com/auburn-al/running/aorta-toys-for-tots-2013

I really have to get the shirt order in next week.

Linda has confirmed donuts from Square D and Yo Cakes from Chill.  She is still working on a few more vendors - she is so good.

Gloria is getting some fruit from Kroger.

We should have plenty food at the finish line.

Just found out that DJ Majesty will not be able to make it:(

Hope you are having a great Sunday.

See you soon.

Sunday, November 10, 2013

November 10th - THIS YEAR'S RACES WILL BE AT THE AUBURN HIGH SCHOOL

Please don't forget that this year we will begin and end at the Auburn High School.

The Auburn High School JROTC will be covering almost all of the spots on the course - Thank you

Lieutenant Colonel (retired), Jon Segars!


The Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association
Auburn University, Alabama (SCAVMA) group will also be helping with various spots on the course.

Brooke Peace Harris, Community Relations Manager for Earth Fare Auburn, has volunteered to provide the fruit and water for the finish line.

Big Dog will be taking care of the finish line. They will also allow us to have early packet pickup on Friday. This will start at noon.

We will have some "special guest stars" from the vet school on the course.

This is going to be a great event!

Sunday, November 3, 2013

November 3rd - only 5 more weeks!

Ok, we are starting to get close now.  I am just starting to stress.

Everything is going great so far.  Lots of people volunteering so the courses should be all set.

Bob, my husband, has ordered the mugs for the race winners.

Big Dog is all set to donate gift cards to the top winners.

Aubie is confirmed for the 1 mile race - as long as Auburn does NOT make it to the SEC championship game.

Linda is working hard to get us some great treats (food) for the finishers.

Kent Smith is set to take pictures.

DJ Majesty (Mac McCracken) is set to play us some music.

Should be a great time!

PLEASE REGISTER EARLY!

Sunday, October 27, 2013

October 27th

About 6 weeks left until the Toys for Tots races.  Please don't wait to register.  You can either print a form on this page and mail it, or you can register on the Active page, or if you live in the Auburn area you can stop by Big Dog fill out the registration and they will get the form to me.

http://www.active.com/auburn-al/running/aorta-toys-for-tots-2013

Sunday, October 20, 2013

October 20

 7 more weeks until the race!
I have received a few more registrations, which is always exciting.

Please register early.  Every year we order extra shirts and every year we run out.  It is very difficult to know how many extra to order.  If you register by November 20th I can guarantee a shirt.  They will be long sleeve cotton shirts.

We are honoring the JROTC - thank you Auburn High School for helping with the race, and the Marines, the founders of the Toys for Tots organization.  They were the inspiration for the design of the shirts.

Big Dog in Auburn started a couch to 5k program designed to get you ready for the 5k.  If you are interested in joining please contact Linda at lc@bigdogrunning.com.



If you are not running or walking one of the races but would like to volunteer to help please contact me.


Thursday, October 3, 2013

October 3rd

Sorry I have not been very active regarding the race.  So much going on locally!

Exciting news - Dr. Bob McAlindon is again one of our sponsors for the race.  He is so generous and a great doctor.  Thank you!!!

EarthFare will again be our water and fruit provider for the finish line.  Brooke Peace Harris is so kind to help, again, she is amazing.

We have been lucky enough to have lots of people offer to volunteer to help.  We should have plenty of helpers to make sure you stay on the course.

My husband teaches at the Vet school at Auburn University and the local SCAVMA (Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Auburn University) have offered to send us some volunteers.  We will also have Dr. Angarano and Lew on the course.

The JROTC from Auburn High school will also be helping on the course.

I am also hoping to have some marines on the course - this is not a sure thing yet.

Not confirmed yet, but I will try to have Aubie for the the 1 mile race.  Will keep you posted.

I should have the graphic up soon.

 

Sunday, September 15, 2013

September 15th

We have our second sponsor - Dr. Sprayberry - he has been a long time supporter of this race.  We are grateful for his sponsorship.

Just a reminder - the route will be staring and ending at the Auburn High School.  The Auburn JROTC will be helping the route.  We are very excited to have the extra help!

Have a great week!

Monday, September 2, 2013

Happy Labor Day!!

I know I get excited early on in for these races. But we have our first sponsor - THANK YOU AUBURN BANK!!!

And our first two race registrations - Thank you Jennifer Spencer - for the 5K and Gina George for the 10K - you ladies rock!!!!

Hope to have a graphic soon:)

Saturday, August 17, 2013

August 17th

Good evening!
I have just posted the 5k and 10k routes if you click on the "important links" tab at the top of this page you will see them.  There will be one loop for the 5k and the 10k will be a second loop of the same route.

I have also posted the printable registration forms.  I created one for each race.  If you have any problems loading any of the pages please let me know.

If you mail in your registration please make sure I receive it by November 20th.  Every year I order extra shirts and every year we run out.  I try to order extras but I never seem to be able to guess how many people will attend.  If you can please register before November 20th I can make sure you will get a shirt.

We don't have the design finalized yet.  I will post it as soon as we have it.

Have a great evening!

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Welcome!

I have just opened registration on Active for the Toys for Tots races for 2013.  The link to Active is here.


There are multiple ways to keep up with the races.  You can check this blog weekly.  You can like the FB page, or you can check the AORTA web page.

This year the race is moving to Auburn High School located at 405 S Dean Rd  Auburn, AL 36830 click here for map.

I am also excited to announce that the Auburn High School JROTC will be helping by volunteering at the races.

I will have the routes posted soon.

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me.

See you soon!

Monica Kennis