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USMs Childrens Center Prepares for 5th Annual Race

Tue, 01/22/2019 - 03:18pm | By: Courtney Tesh

The annual Children's Center Classic is set for Saturday, Feb. 23. (Photo by Zach Crosby Photography)

“This is one of our favorite days of the year at The Children's Center,” said Sarah Case-Price, director at The Children's Center for Communication and Development at Southern Miss. “Besides being a whole lot of fun, The Children's Center Classic also gives us an opportunity to really connect with the community, to reunite with Children's Center graduates and their families, and to promote and highlight inclusion and diversity here in Hattiesburg and beyond.” 

The Children's Center, a non-profit here on USM's campus, has been providing cost-free therapies for infants and children age 0-5 with complex disabilities since 1974, and their annual race, which is now in its fifth year, will take place on the morning of Saturday, February 23. All profits from The Children's Center Classic go directly towards allowing the Center to continue doing life-changing work in Southern Mississippi.

This year, the 1-mile fun run will be part of a separate kickoff event the evening before the 10K and 5K run. This event will be held at The Children's Center on February 22, and will also include playground fun, several activities for children, and delicious food and refreshments. The kickoff event will begin at 4:00 pm and the fun run will take place at 5:30 pm. Early race packet pick-up will also be available in The Children's Center's circle drive at this time.

The 10K and 5K race will take place on USM's Hattiesburg campus on February 23, with race-day registration and packet pick-up beginning at 7:00 am and race start at 8:30 am. In addition to the race, there will be family-friendly activities, pre-race and post-race refreshments, and fun music courtesy of DJ Trazy. New this year is the addition of cash prizes awarded to the overall winner in all four categories (male 5K, female 5K, male 10K, and female 10K).

In addition to registrations, The Children's Center is still accepting sponsors, donors, and volunteers. To find out more or to register for the race, visit www.thechildrenscenterclassic.com.

“We are always so touched and encouraged by the wonderful turnout, and the number of individuals, families, and businesses in our area who are moved to take part in this event.” Said Case-Price. “We hope you'll come out and join us!”

About The Children's Center for Communication and Development

The Children's Center for Communication and Development at The University of Southern Mississippi is a non-profit that provides cost-free communicative and developmental transdisciplinary services to infants, toddlers, and preschoolers while educating, training and supporting families, university students and professionals. For more information, visit www.usm.edu/childrenscenter