Running Man to start at Feed Store

By Kathy Thomson

Cloudy night skies, no moonlight, and cool temperatures might make it harder for spotlighters to find youth competitors during The Feed Store sponsored Running Man event this Saturday night, Oct. 26 after Fall Fest.

Albany’s freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors, and junior high students will each work with their respective classmates to form alliances and strategies designed to get the largest possible percentage of their peers safely back to the Feed Store without being “caught” by spotlighters during the 22nd running of the annual event.

“The event is intended for Albany junior high and high school students only,” said Feed Store executive director Tisha Wilkins. “Any college runners must be Albany alumni and they will be put with a younger group as a leader. Adult runners are needed to lead groups as well.”

Local residents should know that participating youth will be out and about late on Saturday night, and although they are not supposed to be on private property, they will be on the streets and in the alleys.

Every student group will have at least one adult volunteer with it at all times, and additional adult volunteers will be in vehicles with spotlights. The spotlighters’ vehicles are not marked with “Running Man” magnetic signs this year, but can be distinguished in other ways.

Running Man originated several years ago as an alternative to less desirable Halloween activities, and has proven to be extremely popular with local youth, attracting a large number of participants, so local residents should not be alarmed if they hear noises or see spotlights in the streets or alleys this Saturday night from around 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Workers Needed

Student groups must be accompanied by adult runners, and fleet of foot adult volunteers are asked to sign up for the adventure. Parents and or community members are needed as well for registration, setting out food, and checking runners back in when they return. 

Local churches have already volunteered to provide vans and drivers to help transport runners to the various drop-off locations. 

“The spotlighter positions are all filled,” said Wilkins. “We are working closely with local law enforcement to try to reduce the number of fake spot lighters.”

Official spotlighters this year will be issued two required items – one being a specific colored spotlight.

“It’s not the typical red ones used in varmint hunting,” Wilkins said. “The color light and the other item must be used and visible during Running Man to be considered legal. All spotlighters using regular white spotlights will be stopped by law enforcement.” 

Adult volunteers are encouraged to pre-register as soon as possible, so that the event organizers can figure out what is taken care of, and where help is still needed. 

“Volunteers can call me at 325-660-7443,” Wilkins said.  

Anyone who wishes to donate funding for the 2019 event can give cash or a check to any teller at First Financial Bank and ask that it be deposited to the “Feed Store” account.

Volunteers are requested to arrive at the Feed Store at 8:45 p.m. and participants will gather a few minutes later.

“The doors will open to students at 9:00 p.m.,” said Wilkins. “Kathryn Hamilton will lead a devotional and go over the rules.”

Signatures Required

All participants must turn in signed permission slips. 

“Registration forms need to be signed by parents, even if the student is 18 years old,” said Wilkins. “Permission forms are only available at The Feed Store this year. We will be posting a special time on Saturday morning that we will be open for parents to come by and sign the forms.”

According to Wilkins, varsity players are asked not to run in the event, but are encouraged to help with registration. She added that community service hours will be given to those who need them. 

Rules of the Game

Classes run together.

There must be an adult runner with every group.

The winning class will be the one with the greatest percentage of participants who make it to base without being caught.

Runners who show up at the end of the run without an adult leader do not count toward the class total.