Abuse center will benefit from races

Registration is under way for the annual Cumbee Center Whiskey Road Race.

"This is a great family event," said Jason Ritch, a volunteer and the events coordinator for the Cumbee Center to Assist Abused Persons.

The USA Track and Field-certified event will take place Oct. 4 and include 2-mile and 10K races, a 1-mile walk for ages 16 and younger, a half-mile run for ages 8 and younger, and a tot trot for 5 and younger.

The starting line will be at H. Odell Weeks Activity Center. Races will have staggered starts. The two-mile event starts at 7:30 a.m.; the 10K begins at 8, followed by the mile at 9:15 and the half-mile at 9:30. The tot trot will be the final start, at 9:40.

The 10K route will wind through downtown Aiken and South Boundary and end at the activity center.

Last year, about 100 people ran the 2-mile and 150 ran in the 10K, Mr. Ritch said.

"We had someone from Boston run last year. It's a wide-reaching race," he said.

The races raise money for the nonprofit Cumbee Center.

"One hundred percent of the proceeds benefit the center," he said.

The Cumbee Center provides services to victims of abuse. Its emergency shelter can house 32 people, and occupancy fluctuates.

"We usually have eight to 10 people. Sometimes there are 24; sometimes there are two," Mr. Ritch said.

The center also provides rape-crisis services and has a program to counsel batterers.

Race fees before Oct. 1 are $15 for the 10K and 2-mile, $10 for the 1-mile and half-mile, and $5 for the tot trot. After Oct. 1, the price on the 10K and 2-mile will go to $20.

Race-day registration will begin at 6:45 a.m. Registration forms are available at the activity center; the Cumbee Center, 135 Lancaster St.; and online at www.strictlyrunning.com. For more information, call Mr. Ritch at (803) 649-0480 or e-mail caap_vc@bellsouth.net.

Reach Charmain Z. Brackett at charmain.brackett@augustachronicle.com.