Running for BBQ
Homewood Rib Run
Nov. 1 8:30 a.m.
Homewood City hall
This isn’t the first time Roger Rocha has combined food, a 5K and a worthy cause.
After participating in the Krispy Kreme Challenge in North Carolina, Rocha was inspired to bring the spring Krispy Kreme Doughnut Dash to Birmingham to benefit Children’s of Alabama.
This fall, Rocha is not stopping at doughnuts. He’s moved on to something with a little more meat to it.
“I thought we needed to do a barbecue-themed race,” said Rocha, who serves as president of Brown Mackie College in Homewood.
The Homewood Rib Run is a nonprofit event presented by Brown Mackie College. Rocha said the 5K race, which will take place on Nov. 1, is meant to celebrate everything about the city it is named for.
“There are a lot of races in Homewood, but this one actually has Homewood in the title,” Rocha said.
The race begins at Homewood City Hall, and the course runs near the Dawson Family Recreation Center and Homewood Central Park. In each mile, participants will receive a rib from Jim ’N Nick’s, Demetri’s BBQ or Bob Sykes BarB-Q. The first 800 runners to register will be guaranteed a rib at each stop. All other runners will receive pulled pork.
Since the race is the day after Halloween, Rocha hopes people will show up wearing costumes. For local football fanatics, Rocha said to not to worry. He chose the race date because it is an off week for the University of Alabama and an away game for Auburn.
All proceeds will benefit the Lakeshore Foundation, a nonprofit organization that serves people with physical disabilities from Alabama as well as from across the country and around the world. Since 1984, the Lakeshore Foundation has helped advance and promote the impact of positive, long-term physical and emotional effects of physical fitness on people with disabilities.
“They are really doing some amazing things over there, and they are located here in Homewood, so we want to support them any way we can,” Rocha said.
Participants who have previously competed in the Krispy Kreme Doughnut Dash will receive the Iron Stomach Medal if they complete the Homewood Rib Run. All runners will receive a T-shirt. Pictures will be available after the race on Shutterfly.
Rocha, an avid runner about to compete in his seventh marathon, is excited about introducing the Rib Run in Homewood.
“This is a runner-friendly, family-friendly race,” Rocha said. “I think it will be a great thing for Homewood.”
For more, visit ribrun.org.