Red Shoe Run to take place around Homewood Saturday
Red Shoe Run
10-Mile, 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run
Jan. 10
SoHo Square
Thousands of sets of shoes will hit the streets of Homewood on Saturday, Jan. 10. Many of them will be red.
Previously known as the Red Nose Run, this is the run’s second year known as the Red Shoe Run 10-Mile, 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run, a name chosen to better fit its sponsor, McDonald’s.
Area residents should watch for for traffic delays in Homewood between Greensprings Highway and U.S. 31 on race day. Races start at 7 a.m.
The red-shoed Ronald McDonald himself will make an appearance, and festivities at SoHo Square and inside Rosewood Hall will include games, face painting and other fun for all ages. Runners are encouraged to wear red shoes to get in the spirit of the event.
“A race in January is a great way to start the new year and get back in shape after the holidays,” said Stephanie Langford, special events and marketing manager for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama (RMHCA). “The 10-mile run is a wonderful opportunity for runners who plan to participate in the Mercedes Half Marathon in February.”
The race benefits Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama.
The nonprofit organization provides a safe, affordable, supportive “home-away-from-home” for sick or injured children and their families when they travel to Birmingham for medical treatment. It also hosts a place to rest and re-group near DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa.
In Alabama, 75 percent of children do not live in a county that offers comprehensive pediatric specialty care, so they must travel to receive needed services. Many come to Children’s of Alabama, the third-largest pediatric hospital in the U.S.
Families only donate $10-$15 a night for their stay, and it costs RMHCA $65 a night to run each of its 41 rooms. On average, each year, more than 90 percent of the money needed to operate the house is raised through local fundraising efforts and donations, including the Red Shoe Run.
For more information on Ronald McDonald House, visit rmhca.org.
Tips for running in cold weather
- Dress in layers. Start with a thin layer of synthetic material such as polypropylene, which wicks sweat from your body. Stay away from cotton because it holds the moisture and will keep you wet. An outer, breathable layer of nylon or Gore-Tex will help protect you against wind and precipitation.
- Protect your hands and feet. As much as 30 percent of your body heat escapes through your hands and feet. On mild days, wear running gloves that wick moisture away. Mittens are a better choice on colder days so fingers share their body heat.
- Don’t forget your head. About 40 percent of your body heat is lost through your head. Wearing a hat will help prevent heat loss, so your circulatory system will have more heat to distribute to the rest of the body.
- Stay hydrated. Despite the cold weather, you’ll still heat up and lose fluids through sweat. Make sure you drink water or a sports drink before, during and after your run.
- Take it easy. You’re at greater risk for a pulled muscle when running in the cold, so warm up slowly and run easy on very cold days.
-Tips adapted from race website