2020 Running Man cancelled
By Donnie A. Lucas
Like several other local events such as the Fall Fest and homecoming parade, the 23rd annual Running Man event sponsored by the Feed Store has been cancelled for this year due COVID-19 concerns.
“The board met last week and decided to postpone Running Man until next year,” executive director Tisha Wilkins said. “They want to take extra precautions to help keep students at school, so this was just one less large gathering.”
Running Man pits teams of junior high and high school classes against each other to see which group can get the largest percentage of their class back to “home” base at the Feed Store after being dropped off on the outskirts of town.
Other students, mostly athletes who aren’t allowed to participate in the run, act as spotlighters to catch runners on their way back to home base.
The game has become an Albany tradition and serves as a supervised alternative to other more dangerous activities that students might come up with on their own during the Halloween season.
Regular Activities Continue
While the Feed Store has had to cancel Running Man, there are still several weekly activities that are continuing.
The center sponsors an activity each Monday starting at 7:30 p.m. for high school aged students that includes a game time, brief devotional, and the traditional weekly trip to Dairy Queen for refreshments.
The devotional is currently being presented by parents who sign up for each meeting.
Local junior and seniors are also provided lunch each Tuesday, with local churches assisting.
A special time for junior high students is held each Tuesday from 3:30 until 6:30 p.m. with local youth ministers assisting.
“We are still planning to have one large event each month for the kids,” Wilkins said. “We are trying to balance being more cautious and simplifying our schedule while continuing to provide services for the youth.”
Wilkins also said that an emphasis is also being placed on sanitizing the facility between uses to prevent the spread of the virus.
