On Saturday, Feb. 6, more than 400 people participated in the 2010 "21st Annual Love Your Heart Run/3rd Annual Crank Your Heart Ride" (LYHR/CYHR) held at Chewacla State Park.

This event is held annually in order to raise money to provide program activities for people with special needs. Recreational activities, educational activities and social activities are among the activities the event hopes to raise money for.
According to loveyourheartrun.com, “The Exceptional Outreach Organization is a non profit organization, comprised of 8 board members, whose ultimate goal is to raise funds to sponsor and support Special Olympics of Lee County, City of Auburn Parks and Recreation Therapeutic Summer Camp, Best Buddies of Auburn University, Premier Athletics Shinning Stars Therapeutic Cheerleading Team and Friends for Life.”

The event this year had 404 total participants compared to 475 in 2009 and 407 in 2008. President of The Exceptional Outreach Program, Bridget Wingo, said, “Our year this year was down a little bit. We had some unforeseen circumstance, not the least of which was the weather and also the economy, but we still had a great turnout."


This year, proceeds from the "LYHR/CYHR" were approximately $7,000 from registrants, with approximately $4,000 in sponsorships. According to Wingo, The "LYHR/CYHR" is the premier fund-raising event for The Exceptional Outreach Organization. With help from the community this fundraiser is able to give 100 percent of the race entry fees to therapeutic activities in the Lee County area.

The event gives participants the option to run the 10K, walk a mile or ride anywhere between 3.5 and 22 miles.

“It is one of the only certified 10K’s in the area and with it being in Chewacla State Park it offers a very challenging course," Wingo said. "Many of the local runners and riders find that it’s a challenging course that can also prepare them for other events.”

This year there were 189 participants in the 10K run, 112 participants in the 1 mile walk, 10 participants in the 3.5 mile ride, 19 participants in the 11 mile ride, 45 participants in the 22 mile ride, 21 dual participants and 8 participants whose choice was unknown.

Participants this year were given a large incentive to win their race. The top three winners of each age group were awarded a prize, and they were entered in a drawing for the grand prize. This year the grand prize was a 3-day, 2-night stay at the San Destin Hampton Inn and Suites which was awarded to winner Dan Norton.

Those to thank for the success of this event are the title sponsors, the Hampton Inn & Suites of Opelika and Golden’s Bicycles. Also, the City of Auburn, Chewacla State Park, Northcutt Realty, The Villager, AuburnArt.com, CreateTwo and the community were crucial in the success of this event.

For more information about this event visit their Web site at loveyourheartrun.com or call Alison Hall at (334) 501-2940.