F3 Hickory: Speed For Need HCA 5k

Hickory Christian Academy can witness the impact of F3 HICKORY once again.

Speed for Need has fully taken charge within F3 Nation. For the PAX that participated in the Hickory Christian Academy 5k last August (YouTube Video here), they saw the impact of the service our Region was able to bring through Speed For Need. Last year we served two young ladies, Monica and Morgan, and it is debatable who was impacted more, the ladies, or the men of F3 Nation.

F3 Hickory once again made an impact, this time even bigger, this past June at the Conover School Run & Roll 5K (YouTube Video here). This time, we served SEVEN, children with special needs in an amazing way. The impacts YHC saw at this race really brought to life the second theme of Speed for Need:

Who Pushes Who?

And for those PAX who have yet to participate and have only heard, here is your chance.

The HCA 5k is often referred to as the fastest (and flattest) 5K course in Hickory. Like last year, the HCA 5k will give our Track Commanders (aka athlete riders) a chance to experience some wind in their hair. That feeling of speed, paired with the cheering fans along the course, have all the ingredients to make this a memorable event.

Hickory is currently allocated 4 chairs (and could possibly get more) for the race that day. The goal of Speed for Need is to provide our riders that special dose of F3 love and encouragement while giving them a great ride and awesome experience. The byproduct of this effort will be an example for other racers and bystanders (with the essential help of our athlete-rider friends) of hope, compassion, and fortitude – a true example of #Iam3rd

Like all Speed for Need races, we need a huge F3 turnout to have the most impact. That’s where YOU, the Hickory Region PAX, come in. This is a good way to finish the summer and see how all that run training has paid off.

So what do you need to know. Well #1 – REGISTER. #2 – BE THERE TO RUN & SUPPORT

Support needs will be: Set-up, push, cheer, take down, talk to passerby’s, man the booth, take photos and videos, etc.

DETAILS:

1. 1. If you were unable to participate in Hickory’s previous SFN events, take a minute to read the mission and other posts Speed For Need’s website.
   2. We’re still trying to get commitments for our Track Commanders for the race. If you know someone that would be impacted by this service, please reach out to YHC with this information to bing@f3hickory.com.
   3. We need groups of three men who will each push the chair for a mile to maximize the speed effect. Please email YHC with your typical 5k pace when you register. This for 2 reasons:
      1. I can know you are registered.
      2. Can group the teams together prior to race day.
      3. Assign additional support duties as necessary.
   4. The HCA 5K begins at 8:00AM and will start and finish at Hickory Christian Academy (3260 6th St Dr NW, Hickory, NC 28601).  Course description:
      1. This 3.1 mile race will start at HCA (3260 6th Street Dr. NW)
      2. 0.6 mile west on 6th St. Dr. and turn around;
      3. 1.5 miles east on 6th St. Dr., almost to Hwy 127 and turn around;
      4. 1 mile west, return to HCA
   5. Entry fee is $20 (+$2.75 fee) until August 17, then it goes up to $30. Save 10 bucks and sign up in the next couple days. There is NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION, so register beforehand. Register Here
   6. There will be an Official F3 Speed For Need canopy near the start line, but we will still need plenty of Shovel Flags to help bring attention.  Please plan to congregate there before and after the race for a photo ops with the Track Commanders and race chairs.
   7. Media! YHC needs help with media for the event. One of the requirements of Speed For Need is to publish a video. YHC needs help from the PAX (or M’s even) to take photos and videos of the event. Before, after, during, etc., etc. AND JUST AS IMPORTANT: get those videos to YHC. Even more important, if you are good at video editing, YHC needs your help most.
   8. I will have the race chairs the week of for training and to practice pushing before the race. As time approaches, I will let the region know where the chairs will be, so if you are going to participate, please post for training and practice. There are specific safety and equipment protection rules that need to be understood and covered prior to pushing.
   9. Parking – tons of parking at HCA and Neill Clark.

IMPORTANT: If you are running, we plan to STAY TOGETHER as a group as much as possible. The race chariots will be mostly in the lead and we will fan out in a group behind the chair – could use some men carrying shovel flags as well. Be careful, or you might get dropped by the chariots.

1. If you have no interest in running, please still come on out.  Lots of 2nd F and fun for the family. We also need a couple PAX to hang around the tent during the race in case any passersby have questions about F3 or Speed For Need.
2. Speed For Need is fully funded by donations – that means the PAX are the LIFEBLOOD of this program. Check out the website (www.f3speedforneed.com), and donate to support this effort.
3. Last thing – T-Shirts, what would an F3 Event be without another shirt. There are Speed For Need shirts and singlets for sale. Message me (bing@f3hickory.com or @wwightm on Twitter) in advance of the race and we will pick them up with the chairs ($20 each / sportek kids and adults and singlets too)

This should be a ton of fun. I am excited and I know we have another awesome opportunity to impact the Hickory Region Community. Please help support this awesome cause and race.