CH hosts second annual Happy 5K and Fun Run on Oct. 2
This October, for the second consecutive year, Cleveland Heights will host the Happy 5K and one-mile Fun Run, as well as a one-mile family walk—new this year. The races will take place on Sunday, Oct. 2.
Last year, the event attracted 514 people, with about two-thirds of the participants coming from outside of the Heights. This year, the organizers—the City of Cleveland Heights, the Cedar Lee Special Improvement District and Western Reserve Racing—hope to draw 1,000 participants.
This year’s route will be the same as last year’s, passing through Cedar Lee, Coventry Village and several other Cleveland Heights districts.
Participants in the 5K run will receive “cash” vouchers that can be used at participating Cleveland Heights shops, as well as drink vouchers that participants can redeem on race day. The vouchers are valued at more than the registration fee, so participants who use the vouchers will get more in return than what they pay to register.
The organizers also invite merchants to get involved by forming teams for the event. At press time, CLE Urban Winery, Phoenix Coffee, Stone Oven, Tavern Company, Dewey’s Pizza, Cleveland Running Company, Heights Arts and The Wine Spot have all committed to organizing teams.
Those interested in taking part in the races can sign up at www.westernreserveracing.com/events/happy5k. The registration fee for the Happy 5K is $25 through Sept. 18, $30 Sept. 19 through Oct. 1, and $35 on race day. The registration fee for the one-mile Fun Run is $10.
The 2015 races were so successful that the organizers were able to donate more than $2,000 to the Cleveland Heights Youth Scholarship Fund. They hope to be able to donate at least that much this year.
James Henke
James Henke, a Cleveland Heights resident, was a writer and editor at Rolling Stone magazine for 15 years. He is also the author of several books, including biographies of Jim Morrison, John Lennon and Bob Marley. He is on the board of FutureHeights, and he is the co-chair of the Heights Observer Advisory Committee.