Run Royale, SHOC & Awe at Royal SummerFest

ROYAL CITY - Run Royale and SHOC and Awe will be the theme of the annual charity fun run at Royal City's SummerFest on July 13.

Royal City SummerFest has a fun run dedicated to a different charity every year. This year the recipient of the run will be SHOC (Strengthening the Heart of the Community) a local 501(c)3 group that has been in existence for about five years.

SHOC has sponsored BINGO to raise funds to benefit the community. It has accomplished quite a bit, including hanging Welcome Banners and Seasons Greeting signs all along main street.

There has been beautification with trees on Camelia St. and a welcome sign, organizing the community garden, cleanup and gang prevention education. Last year it launched an annual event called "Sip of the Slope" to showcase the viticulture industry burgeoning in South Grant County.

This spring SHOC made the decision to extend the beautification project on Camelia Street and is working with the Royal City Council to make this a reality.

Because the run has been sponsored every year by Wenatchee Valley Clinic and Saddle Mountain Wireless, all entry fees and donations go directly to the charity each year.

Sponsor funds go to the purchase of T-shirts for the runners. Last year, a new fabric was chosen that was a real hit with the runners.

In the past charities have been: Hystio Cytosis, Bob Nielsen Memorial benefitting the local fire department, Juvenile Heart Research, and last year, Michelle Wallace, a local young woman with leukemia.

"I think SHOC would be an excellent recipient for the charity," volunteer organizer Dana Hebdon said. "I have really enjoyed the beautification around Royal that they have done, and I would love for that to continue."

Ashley and Tyler Frank have organized the run for the past five years. They have enlisted new blood in Hebdon. Hebdon is excited to be part of the SummerFest Staff.

"I have always enjoyed the festivities, especially the 5K race, which I have participated in three of the four years that I have lived in Royal," Hebdon said.

"I love the energy you feel early in the morning, and it is magnified because this is a small and tight knit community. It is so much fun to get together with a large group of people that you know and do something invigorating."

There has been some talk of the possibility of a 10K, but Hebdon says maybe next year.

"I think it is an excellent idea and I would love to pursue it next year," she said. "I am sure there are plenty of people that would be interested in the longer races."

"Every year, this race gets a little bigger and a little better, and I hope that I can continue that tradition by making it a great experience for everyone involved," she added.

The race course is rural, in town, along ditch banks and adjacent to local crops.

"The race course will remain the same because seriously, it's a great route," Hebdon said.

Hebdon noted there is a big range of fitness levels that participate. It really is for everyone.

"Last year, I ran/walked the 5K with my sister, her 8 year old son, my 3 year old son, and my baby in a stroller," she said. "We had such a blast that my son is still talking about it and wants to run more races."

Those who would like to assist Hebdon in Run Royale organization may contact her at 346-1504.

For entry forms, please visit: www.rcsummerfest.org and print your entry. Entry fees paid by check should be made out to SHOC, Royal City.