Bigger and better is the name of the game for this year’s Charley Melvin Mad Bomber Run for You Life. THE “ODDBALL” event has become a staple in Iola, Toland said, and has done nothing but get the community’s name out in the public. TOLAND said the Charley Melvin is the largest 5K in the 17 southeast Kansas counties, and one of the largest in the state. They aim to keep it that way.
Registration is currently under way for the event and David Toland, executive director for Thrive Allen County — a co-sponsor of the event with Allen County Crime Stoppers — said they are already “well-ahead of last year’s registration,” about 70 so far.
This is the fifth year for the 5K run/walk, which started with about 400 participants. It has grown by about 200 every year, and Toland said he hopes to see 1,200 people for this year’s event.
Participation isn’t the only thing that has been growing, however.
“We have tried new things every year,” Toland said. “And this year is no exception.”
Toland said a “more adult-friendly” carnival will be on tap, including live music starting at 11 p.m., a mechanical bull and a rock climbing wall.
Toland said he expects the Parade of Lights, which had 18 entries last year, will expand as well.
“We’d like to have at least 30 entries in the parade,” he said.
The only stipulation for the parade is that entries must be illuminated in some fashion. Groups or individuals may register for the parade at the Thrive office, or by calling 365-8128.
Of course, with a greater size comes greater responsibility.
“We are working really hard on logistics to keep our runners and walkers safe,” Toland said. This will include more volunteers on the course to direct, inform and monitor participants.
Iola Police Officer Mike Ford, coordinator with Crime Stoppers, said his team works from 8 a.m. until around 4 a.m. the day of the race. They will assist on the course and logistically.
“It’s a long day,” he said.
Ford is in charge of registration for the event, which is the largest fundraiser of the year for Crime Stoppers.
Thrive and Crime Stoppers members have been meeting every week since January to get this year’s race organized.
This year’s festivities begin at 5 p.m. on July 12 and run into the early-morning hours on July 13.
Ford said his group has been involved ever since they came up with the idea for the run, and came to co-sponsor the event with Thrive.
“Charley Melvin has always kind of intrigued me,” Ford said.
“It’s one piece of the puzzle of how to make Iola and Allen County not only destinations for people, but a place to live,” he said.
Portions of every registration will go to the Boston One Fund, which benefits victims of April’s Boston Marathon terrorist attacks.
Toland said people have asked whether the name of the local event — The Mad Bomber — will be changed, due to the nature of its subject. He said there are not plans to do so, because it would only amplify the effect of those who would harm others.
“Charley Melvin (who bombed saloons in the early 1900s, in an act of protest against the consumption of alcohol) wasn’t out there to kill people,” Toland said. “It bends destruction into something that can be positive, changing the name would send the wrong message.”
He said people in the community have expressed their support of keeping the name of the event as is.
“We want this to continue to grow and draw people to Iola,” Toland said.
The early registration for the run and walk is ongoing through June 30. Adults are $20 and youth (17 and under) are $12 for the run. 3K walkers are $12 each. From July 1 to July 12, prices go up to $25 and $15, respectively, for the run and $15 for the walkers. Participants may register online as well, at madbomberrun.com. Toland said Thrive has utilized a new registration system for easier online applications.
With registration comes a T-shirt.
For further information about this year’s run, contact Thrive Allen County offices at 365-8128.
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