Second Annual 78 Magazine 5K Set for April 1 at Gamble Park

Images by Ryan McGill

The 2nd annual 78 Magazine 5K benefiting the Jasper High School Cross-Country and Track Teams will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2023 at Gamble Park in Jasper.

According to 78 Magazine owner and event host Al Blanton, this is will be a great opportunity to get out in the community and support the local high school.

“We are looking forward to this year's event and hope that runners of all ages and skill levels will participate,” Blanton said. “This is an opportunity to raise significant funding for our local teams, and I hope the community will come out and support it.”

Caroline Kamplain, head cross country coach at JHS and an assistant outdoor track & field coach, stated, “We are excited to partner again with 78 Magazine and host a 5K that can reach local runners and also benefit our students.”

“I think it’s a great opportunity for people in the community,” added first-year JHS head track & field coach Andy Franks. “This is my first year here, so I’m excited.”

Blanton is passionate about running and hopes that the event will help further cultivate an outdoor-minded community. “We are starting to build a strong running community in this town, and we want to continue host competitive road races such as these,” he said.

Cost of the event is $38 per person, and the first 40 to sign up get a free T-shirt. Preregistration is available at eventbrite.com but participants may also register the day of the event. Registration begins at 7 a.m. and the race begins promptly at 8 a.m.

All proceeds from the event go to the Jasper High Track and Cross-Country teams.

“If you don’t want to run the 5K or if you are unable to run the 5K, you can always do a 1-mile fun run or walk around Gamble Park. Either way, we’d love to see you,” Blanton said.

For more information, please visit the Facebook event page “78 Magazine 5K 2023.”