The City Fields Fall Fest 5k and Fun Run
Fall means shorter days, pumpkin spice, changing leaves and… festivals! As a runner, we love when these festivals include a quality race component like City Fields’ upcoming Fall Fest 5k and Fun Run. We especially love it when the 5k course takes us through parts of Cleveland we don’t normally run; we get even more excited when we trust the organization involved, knowing that our participation matters. All of these components come together in City Fields' upcoming fundraiser and race on September 28th. To learn more we connected with City Fields Community Engagement Coordinator, Kyle Stokes, to learn more about the race, City Fields and what runners can expect.
Kyle, can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got involved with City Fields?
I grew up on the north side of Cleveland and remember watching that side of town grow, develop, and change in real time. I moved away for college and seminary where, among other things, I learned about place-based development organizations. One organization in Atlanta, which is where I went to seminary, is called Focused Community Strategies, and I didn't know at the time that they were starting to consult with a new place-based development organization in my hometown - City Fields. I began to learn about the different trajectories of different parts of Cleveland over the last several decades and the variety of complex reasons why some places seem to flourish while other places seem left behind. When my wife, Kelly, and I moved back to Cleveland, I knew I wanted to get involved in some way with that kind of work. In 2020, after working at Unity Center and while I was working at Broad Street United Methodist Church, I joined City Fields' Board of Directors and then joined the staff this past January.
For those who don't know, can you tell us about City Fields? What do you all do and how does that impact our community?
City Fields Community Engagement Coordinator, Kyle Stokes, invites you and your family to be a part of the Fall Fest 5k and Fun Run!
City Fields seeks to be a catalyst for change in Cleveland's most overlooked neighborhoods. There's a growing amount of data that shows that the neighborhood you're born into is more predictive than any other factor in your overall future health outcomes - physical health, mental health, economic stability, etc. One response to that circumstance is to encourage people to get out of their neighborhoods. City Fields' response is to listen to the voices of our neighborhoods and come alongside them, working together to create the kind of healthy, flourishing, connected neighborhood we want for any generation to be able to thrive in. Physical Revitalization, Social Revitalization, Leadership Development, Neighborhood Safety, and Economic Development are the five areas, or fields, we look at to discover what is holding communities back, and what opportunities lie untapped for creating a safe, healthy, engaged, and flourishing neighborhood.
What about the event itself? With a name like Fall Fest, it sounds like a lot more than just a 5k! How did this idea come about and how will it benefit the work you all do?
Yes it is more than just a 5k! And you don't have to participate in the walk/run to enjoy the Fall Fest. All nonprofits try to come up with fundraising strategies every year - some work better than others, and what works for your organization might not work for another. We've never tried a 5k before but what we liked about the 5k idea is that it's not just a random route to raise money. We purposely chose to make the route in one of the neighborhoods we work with, Blythe Oldfield. Blythe Oldfield is so close to Downtown Cleveland and yet feels so far away due the barriers of the railroad tracks and the almost 50 acres of torn down manufacturing site (Magic Chef, Maytag, Whirlpool). This event gives us a chance to raise a little bit of money to continue our work, sure, but more importantly we are inviting Clevelanders on both sides of the tracks to connect with each other in our neighborhood. We are excited to be able to highlight a lot of City Fields' work along the route and show how neighbors who've advocated together for their neighborhood have been able to make a difference.
The Fall Fest will feature local vendors, a live Bluegrass band, food trucks, a bounce house, and just all around family fun for the afternoon. We hope you're able to join us!
What should runners expect on race day? Where is the race, when does it start, and is there anything else unique about it?
The race will start at 11am at 1075 Blythe Avenue - the front of the old Blythe Ave School building but runners will want to get there around 10. There are some fun hills along the route so you've still got some time to get some hill training in! Keep up with our Facebook and Instagram for further details as race day approaches.
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The City Fields Fall Festival 5k and Fun Run takes place on September 28th at Blythe Oldfield Park. The race starts at 11am but the festival goes until 3pm! To view the course route, learn more and register, visit the event page located on City Fields website.
Cleveland Circuit Ride Benefitting Family Promise
At Terra Running Co, we love that we get to help community organizations put on meaningful fundraisers through races. One of the more unique events that we have the privilege of timing is the Cleveland Circuit Ride for Family Promise of Bradley County. This incredible event benefits an incredible organization serving families right here in our neighborhood. We spoke with the race director and the Executive Director of Family Promise, Eva VanHook, about Family Promise of Bradley County and this exciting event.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got involved with Family Promise of Bradley County?
I was recruited by a founding board member as the volunteer coordinator for my church before the agency opened to serve the public. I filled needs as they arrived serving first as the Case Manager, then Program Director before ultimately serving as the Executive Director. That was 11 years ago. I just celebrated my anniversary.
Can you tell us about Family Promise? What do you all and how does that impact our community?
Family Promise of Bradley County works with children and their families facing housing instability. What started as a family shelter in 2011, has since become a housing hub for the community by providing shelter, prevention, diversion, and stabilization services. We work to ensure that children have a safe place to sleep at night by sharing their stories and advocating for the families we serve. Our families work hard to overcome obstacles and achieve their goal of sustainable housing.
Unlike the majority of the races we time, this is a cycling event, which is exciting! Can you tell us about the event itself? Who is it for, are there multiple distances, are kids allowed to participate, etc.
We are so excited to partner with Terra Running Co this year to provide the timing system for our participants. We have been hosting this ride for 10 years now and we have seen it grow and develop. We offer 4 different distances (25, 50, 100 km, and 100 miles) so that any cyclists, or family, can participate. On the shorter routes we do offer that children can ride free with a paying adult (they must also ride with the minor). The committee made the decision to only allow adults to ride the 100 mile century. The 25, 50, and 100 km routes are marked by Route Arrows. The 100 mile course requires that participants have turn-by-turn navigation. Each route crosses at least one aid station and is followed by a chase vehicle. Bradley County Sheriff's Department and Cohutta Police Department aid the cyclists in the more trafficked street crossings. We work very hard to make sure that all cyclists are safe.
How does the Cleveland Circuit Ride benefit the work you all do at Family Promise?
The Cleveland Circuit Ride was developed by a volunteer group that wanted to see a cycling event happen in our community. They chose to benefit Family Promise because they believed in the mission and they saw firsthand the work that we did and the difference that we made. Over the years, this group has retired and passed ownership of the Circuit Ride over to Family Promise and the organization has committed to carrying on this unique event. This is our largest fundraising event of the year as we are able to expand our reach to so many new individuals. Not only does it provide the finances needed for the organization to be successful, but it also provides connections to new individuals who want to make an impact in our community.
What should cyclists expect on the day of the event? Where and when does it start, are there aid stations on the course? Any other relevant details?
We are only a few weeks away. I can't believe it! The day of the event is active and it is crucial that participants know what to expect. The event starts and stops at Black Fox Elementary School on Saturday, September 7th. Depending on the route the cyclists are riding, affects the start time with our longest ride leaving at 7 am. The 100 km will leave at 8 am and the 50 and 25 km riders will leave at 9 am. Routes will be marked by Route Arrows and cyclists are given color-coded wristbands. Everyone also gets my phone number because I want them to have access to me in case of an emergency. There is access to the aid station at least once during the routes. Chase vehicles follow every group and there are police officers stationed at more critical road crossings. After the cyclists get back from the ride, the Hungry Hippie will feed them one of their tasty signature dishes. There will also be vendors set up and spaces for you to bring your camping chair and bask in the glory of your accomplishment.
Anything else you would like to share?
This is a great event and really accessible to riders of all skill levels. Feel free to contact Eva at eva@familypromisebradleytn.org with any questions.
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Riders can find more information and sign up for the event by visiting the Cleveland Circuit Ride website at www.circuitride.org. To find more information about Family Promise of Bradley County and to support the work that they do, visit their website at www.familypromisebradleytn.org.