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03/03/22

Cardinal Foundation to host Swoop Sprint 5k

Gadsden, Ala. - The Cardinal Foundation, a support organization of Gadsden State Community College, is hosting the annual Swoop Sprint 5K at 9 a.m. April 9. Monies collected during Swoop Sprint 5k will be used for student scholarships.

“The Cardinal Foundation exists to support the overall mission of Gadsden State and to provide scholarships for our Gadsden State students,” said Mark Condra, president of the Cardinal Foundation Board of Directors. “This event allows us to bring our community together to showcase our Wallace Drive and East Broad campuses, and to support our students through scholarships.”

Proceeds from Swoop Sprint go towards three $1,500 scholarships – one to a student enrolled at any Gadsden campus, one enrolled in a technical program and one enrolled at Gadsden State Cherokee. Scholarship applications are now available at www.gadsdenstate.edu/cardinalfoundation. The deadline to apply is March 15.

Condra said the Gadsden Runners Club is directing with the Cardinal Foundation to ensure an excellent race day experience. The Swoop Sprint 5k is a course registered in the GRC Grand Prix Series.

The 5k run will begin and end at the Beck Field House on the Wallace Drive Campus. Cash prizes will be awarded to the Top 3 overall male and female participants. First place receives $100, second place receives $50, and third place receives $25.  The best male and female who embodies the “Swoopiest Spirited” sprinter will each receive a $25 cash prize. Medals will be awarded to the Top 3 in each age group (excluding the overall winners). Age groupings are by five-year increments, beginning with 0-9 and ending with 70-plus. The awards ceremony will begin immediately after the results are in. Winners must be present to receive their awards. Medals and cash prizes will not be mailed.

The preregistration fee for Swoop Sprint is $25. Members of the Gadsden Runners Club and Anniston Runners Club as well as students from area middle schools, high schools and Gadsden State will receive a $10 discount. Registration includes an electronic chipped timing bib, goody bag, pre-race snacks and finish line food. An official race day t-shirt is guaranteed if registered by March 24.

Race day registration is $30 and is available from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.; however, it does not include a t-shirt or goody bag, so preregistration is encouraged. Race day packet pick-up is available from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. in the Beck Field House. The race starts promptly at 9 a.m. Door prizes are awarded after the race.

To register, go to https://runsignup.com/Race/AL/Gadsden/SwoopSprint5K and find the Swoop Sprint 5k menu option.

Four levels of sponsorships are still available: Swoop! Swoop! for $2,500; Swoop There It Is! for $1,250; Swooping In! for $625 and One Fell Swoop for $300.

For more information on sponsorships, contact Mark Condra at mcondra3@gmail.com.