On October 5, the Zionsville Optimist Club will sponsor the 31st annual “Hit the Bricks” five mile run and three mile run/walk. The event starts at 8:05 am at Zionsville Community High School (ZCHS).
Dr. Jim Haines, cofounder of the event and race director for the first 10 years,
says this is one of the longest “running” events in the state. “Hit the Bricks” was the brainchild of Dr. Haines and his friend and fellow Optimist, Ross Hubbard. Since its inception, the run has been one of the primary fundraisers for the Zionsville Optimist Club and has raised over $250,000 over the past 30 years.
Dr. Haines emphasized that the money raised by the “Hit the Bricks” event stays local and is used to fund a number of local youth projects. Among the youth projects that it funds is a $4,000 scholarship for a student attending a four-year college and one for $1,000 given to a student attending a vocational/trade school. The Optimist Club also supports the local Boy & Girls Club, little league baseball and ZCHS After Prom.
Gift certificates to Athletic Annex for $100, $50 and $25 will be awarded to the top three overall male and female finishers. In addition to those given to the top finishers, there will be numerous prize drawings for us “middle of the pack” runners. Everyone has a chance to come home a winner, especially the youth projects supported by the Zionsville Optimist Club.
This year’s Optimist Club coordinator for the event is Paul Caltrider (cridervp@aol.com). For more information and to register online, visit www.tuxbro.com. Dr. Haines expresses the Optimist Club’s great appreciation to ZCHS and the Zionsville Police and Rescue Departments for their assistance over the years.
