Take a break for a few hours from the gloom surrounding the COVID crisis and join us for Main Street Vineland’s second annual Run The Ave 5K, Cumberland County’s premier road race, to take place rain or shine on Sunday, September 13, starting at 9 a.m., on Landis Avenue. It will be presented in cooperation with Second Capital Running, with Newfield National Bank as the major sponsor.
This year’s race, in light of the current crisis, will accommodate social distancing and public health. It will be an example of how future races can safely happen with large participant numbers.
The measures put in place include a wave start sending runners out in groups of five to 10 every 10 seconds; multiple packet pick-up dates and a mail-in option (for an additional charge) for race day essentials; foot pump-operated self-serve water stations along the course; and pre-packaged bags with water and snacks handed out at the finish line as runners are guided away from the race area.
This 5K, a fully sanctioned race, is on a closed road course with police support. Awards include Top Male and Female Overall, 10-Year Age Groups, first Vineland resident to cross the finish line, the True Grit Award to celebrate the spirit of never giving up to the last-place finisher, and a Team Challenge. Awards will be mailed out, with no in-person awards ceremony taking place.
We had 145 runners participating last year and our aim is to do the same or better this year. Registration, which is $20, is taking place now. To enter or for more information, go to the website—
TheAve.biz.
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We regret that we have had to cancel this year’s A Taste of Vineland and Volunteer Recognition event, originally scheduled for Wednesday, October 21, at the Greenview Inn at Eastlyn Golf Course. With COVID safety regulations in place now and restaurants operating on a reduced scale, we felt that it would be best to wait this year out and aim for a bigger and better event next year.
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Remember these important reminders:
• “Shop Local—Shop Safe” is an initiative in partnership with the Greater Vineland Chamber of Commerce to emphasize shopping our local businesses, whether it’s at the retail or supplier level, and doing so in a safe and responsible way, following the proper social distancing guidelines. We now have yard signs about this campaign, so you can publicize it and show your support. Contact the Main Street office to get yours.
• Take Out Thursdays continues and is Main Street Vineland’s way of helping our restaurants on The Ave., even as they reopen to indoor service. Use that occasion—and any day—to patronize our many downtown restaurants and get a takeout. Sample authentic multicultural cuisine; keep our business climate healthy.
A further reminder to go to the home page of our website— TheAve.biz—for links to initiatives to help our local businesses during these hard economic times.
Main Street Vineland is here to help. In the spirit of social distancing and respecting the safety of our staff, our office is currently closed to walk-in public though we are still working every day. We pass this information along to our businesses every Thursday on POP 99.9 FM, Channel 22, and on Facebook Live on facebook.com/popfm999, as well as TheAve.biz and facebook.com/mainstreetvineland.
