Sorry it took me so long - and thanks to Larry Smith for reminding me - but here are official times for the first annual Pat Fatmucket Fun Ride. 
We kept times only for those participants who wore racing bib numbers, as we're promoting this as a fun ride for the whole family, and not just for those adrenaline-driven, octane-high, testosterone-fueled speed junkies. 
Speaking of the ADOHTFSJ crowd, we're highlighting the top three, in Gold, Silver and Bronze, on the chart at left, and next time you see one of them, give him an attaboy, because they were really hauling fatmucket around the Lake. Bullock, at 1:04, kept an average speed of just over 20 mph. FAST!

Everyone had a great time yesterday at the third annual Farmers Market Fun Run organized by Rachel Smith and her team of volunteers - great job, Rachel!

At the gun, 226 people took off on the 5k run / walk, leaving DSS off Government Complex Road, going over the U.S. 74-76 overpass, touring the neighborhoods in Whiteville, and back. Heather Nance, 32, led the pack, crossing the finish line in 22:19. 

Visit the event's website at fmrun.com or the race results page. View event photos here.

This year’s version of the Columbus County Community Farmers Market Fun Run & Walk event has attracted increased attention, with more than 250 participants expected for the Saturday event.

The annual run-walk begins at 9 a.m. and features a three-mile run or walk for adults.  The kids’ Fun Run gets 

under way at 8:45 a.m.

Prizes will be awarded to the top finishers in each event. Children participate without charge and the adult admission fee is $5 per person. T-shirts commemorating the 2012 Fun Run will be on sale for $10 each.

Farmer Market Consultant Kip Godwin expressed surprise at the early interest shown in this year’s Fun Run.

“We had expected more than 200 people to participate,” he said.  Last year’s event attracted about 125 entrants.This year’s Fun Run will have an added attraction; chicken bog plates will be available for $5 each.  

The chicken bog was scheduled for the market’s opening day last Saturday but problems with Whiteville’s city water supply that led to the advice that all water for human consumption be boiled forced the cancellation of the planned meal.

Those wishing to participate can register for the run-walk up until 8:30 Saturday morning.  To register for the event and for further information, visit www.fmrun.com.

Bike racks in front of Blankner Elementary School in Orlando, Fla. are filled with 

bicycles. It’s an image I remember when I lived there in the 1990s; beautiful tangles of chrome and paint glimmering in the sunshine.

It was more than just steel and rubber, though, as those bicycles were a taste of freedom for little seven and eight-year-olds. They were rolling machines of excitement, they were stepping stones to independence, and yes, they were even physical fitness.

Outside our schools in Whiteville I never see bicycles. We don’t even have bicycle racks.

I am not a parent, but I can think of some reasons why children don’t ride bicycles to school; it’s too far; Mom or Dad can easily drop them off on the way to work, (and that ride can be a beautiful and functional bonding time); they have too many books to carry; and it’s really freaking dangerous.

If I were a parent, I’d have to think long and hard about that last one. But surely, the parents in Orlando have the same concerns, don’t they? They have crazy traffic there, narrow roads, and areas with no bike lanes just like we do. So, what is the big difference between there and here?

I think it’s the environment.

Here, virtually nobody rides their bike to school. So, the perception is that it is unreasonably dangerous, and also that only children of poor families whose parents don’t love them or want to be with them must ride.

But visit that other environment in Orlando, (which I did recently,) watch all the children ride their bikes to school, and you won’t think that way. You’ll see the neighborhood children riding bicycles, and that will be the norm. Your child will want to join them.

So above all, we are cursed here with a powerful force working against a tradition that could help build stronger bodies and minds for our children, and we cannot get out from under this without courage, desire and a bit of creativity.

Yes, riding bicycles can be dangerous, and as much as I feel they are ultimately ideal for children and adults, I am not about to recommend that parents just send their children off on two wheels. But some creative parents have a great idea; they ride with their children.

Surely everyone can’t do this every day, but maybe you could once a week, or a few times each month or semester? If you’re fortunate enough, you could even ride your bike from the school to work.

Families could team up, borrowing the “walking school bus” concept. Neighborhood children wait in their driveways for others – escorted by a parent – to ride by, and they join them. Simple.

Again, not every day, but more than we ride now. And speaking of right now, this is an exciting time, right here, as it is time for Pat Fatmucket!

Look at the front of today’s Living section for details on a great family opportunity of bike riding around beautiful Lake Waccamaw. “It’s the most fun you can have with your clams on,” our beloved mascot, Pat Fatmucket, likes to say.

You can ride either 8 or 22 miles because, according to Pat; “we have two routes to suit every fanny!” 

We had a blast Saturday morning at the Lake, with about 60 cyclists speeding along on the Pat Fatmucket Fun Ride. 

More Photos

The kids especially enjoyed patting Pat along the route and having Pat pat them at the finish!

Ok, right, this is a bike ride, yes – but there will surely be a run on these shirts! 

Do the math. We only bought 100. We're giving away 20 to the first adult registrants. We're giving at least 20 to volunteers. So of the 60 left, what are the chances we'll have one in your size?

See you Saturday morning!

This is your new blog post. Click here and start typing, or drag in elements from the top bar.