Oglethorpe Sports
In a couple weeks, the annual Patriot 5K will be held at the Oglethorpe County High School. Registration for the race is now open until the morning of the event. In the past, the fundraising event has been held in August in conjunction with the start of the school year and the cross country season. However, it was postponed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The somewhat cooler weather appears to have been more agreeable to participants in 2020. This year’s event is taking place in the fall once again, at the end of this month.
The 16th Annual Oglethorpe County Patriot 5K will be held on Saturday, October 30th. The race will begin at 8:30 a.m. Preregistration for the 5K ends on Friday, October 15th. Until then, the fee to participate is $20 for all ages.
After that, through the morning of the race, the registration fee will increase to $25 per person. Short sleeved t-shirts are guaranteed to all pre-registered participants and as supplies last on race day.
There is also an option for those who would just like to order a t-shirt for the event but not participate in the run or walk. The cost is $20 and should be pre-ordered by Oct. 15th.
Registration forms can be mailed to Melissa McGarity at the Oglethorpe County High School, 749 Athens Rd., Lexington, GA 30648. Checks should be made payable to “OCHS Cross Country.”
The Patriot 5K has been held at the high school for years to benefit the cross-country team at the high school. The proceeds will help the team update equipment, uniforms, or any other needs it has this year
There are four tiers of sponsorship available for the 5K. Those pledging $50 or more will be recognized on the back of the official race t-shirt.
The Patriot 5K is a 3.1-mile race that will be run on the high school’s cross-country course, which is 95% grass and 5% pavement. It is a moderately hilly course that winds around the high school campus.
The race will begin on the visitors’ side of Patriot Stadium. The Fun Run/Walk will be about one mile long./ Parking will be available at the stadium. Race times will be recorded, and results will be posted online.
Awards will be given out for both the male and female overall winner of the race. There will also be awards for the male and female winner of each of the following divisions: Oglethorpe County school staff, high school students, middle school students, and community members.
Last year, due to the pandemic, there was a virtual option made available for the Patriot 5K. Those who wanted to participate but did not wish to be in close proximity with others could register for the virtual race and complete their run anytime during a set range of dates.
The entry fee for the virtual option was $15, but no shirt was provided, and there were no opportunities to win an award based on finishes. Times were entered at the end of virtual participants’ respective age groups for Black Bag Race Series and Clover Glove Race Series points. There is no virtual option offered this year as the Patriot 5K will return to an in person run/walk as it has been held in the past.