Organizers of the inaugural Hoptown Half Marathon and 5K stood Monday near the race starting line on South Main Street and lifted a huge symbolic check for $14,131.
It represents a contribution to the United Way of the Pennyrile from money raised at the September event, which attracted 640 participants from 16 states.
The contribution is the largest independent fundraiser for the local United Way’s 2019 campaign, said Hopkinsville Marketing and Events Coordinator Chris Jung in a news release.
The Hoptown Half Marathon and 5K were sponsored by Planters Bank and Jennie Stuart Health, respectively.
The United Way of the Pennyrile serves Caldwell, Christian, Todd and Trigg counties with financial support for 20 agencies.
“With a focus on education, income and health — building blocks for a good quality of life — United Way of the Pennyrile unites people and resources to improve lives and strengthen communities,” a supporter said in the news release.
The second annual Hoptown Half Marathon and 5K will be on Sept. 19. Registration is now open and information is available at HoptownHalf.com.
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. Brown was a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era, where she worked for 30 years. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board past president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition. She serves on the Hopkinsville History Foundation's board.
