ShamRock 'N Roll Road Race

Well, 12 years and a dang virus is taking us out but not without a valiant fight.  I'm just sick about it, no actual virus, fortunately, but after many many discussions with the timing company, other officials, including health experts, it appears that my hanging on, amidst the panic, has come to an end and Saturday's race is officially canceled.  

For any race director, particularly non-profit ones who work so hard for so many months to raise desperately needed money to give away, a decision like this is extremely difficult.  It's actually quite brutal. As a board member of Moore County's Public Education Foundation, I absolutely love being able to write a race check that enables our board to turn around and give it right back to teachers and schools for projects they otherwise would not be able to fund.  Projects they sometimes only dream of being able to tackle.

Just this week our board is in discussions about a sizeable grant that will give students a safe, non-judgmental space in which to do simple things we might take for granted--wash their clothes at school because they don't have the ability to elsewhere, charge their devices when they don't have access to electricity at home and have a calm, comfortable place to do homework with Wifi access they otherwise don't have.  This is in addition to the thousands of dollars in grants that we award for more typical educational projects that benefit all of our children and grandchildren, from kindergarten through graduation.  

Having said that, I genuinely appreciate your understanding and grace.  This late in the game, a great deal of financial outlay has already occurred for bibs, timing, shirts, prizes, printing, and bags, to name just some.  The reasons precipitating events across the nation having to cancel are unprecedented and the financial fallout can be frightening and daunting for all.  I empathize with them.  For all of these reasons, the no refund policy remains in effect.

I have every single detail ready to go, including race bags, bibs and shirts and I want for you to have them.  I really want you to have them! I'm going to take a few days to work out the logistics but I will send a message out soon with info. on when you can swing by the Ace store to grab your shirts and bags.

Please be assured that this decision did not come easily at all.  We're all disappointed.  I'm even drinking a little wine tonight and I may go ahead and eat something I really shouldn't.  To say that I appreciate your kindness is quite an understatement.  I sincerely appreciate our many sponsors, all Village of Whispering Pines staff, the many volunteers and each of you for your registrations and for your faithfulness to this cause and to our schools for so many years.  It matters and you make a big difference.

If you want to run the course on Saturday anyway, go for it.  I'll be rooting you on in spirit.

I'll be in touch soon about packet pick up but in the meantime, please let me know if I can answer any other questions.

Take care of yourselves, be well, and if you haven't yet heard, wash your hands:)  On a positive note, I bought 64 oz. of hand sanitizer a month ago for you all before it became liquid gold!  

Have a good evening.