Frostbite Half-Marathon Celebrating 30th Year

Gerald Dunwoody of Nettleton, MS, completes the Frostbite Half-Marathon with his dog by his side. The 13.1 mile race turns 30-years-old this year and is scheduled for Saturday, January 24.

STARKVILLE, Miss. (Press Release) — Gerald Dunwoody’s goal at this year’s 30th Annual Frostbite Half Marathon won’t be to beat his best time or win a trophy.  This year, completing the race will be a victory all its own after he suffered a stroke last May.

“This is my race.  When I started running in May 1998, the first race I ever competed in was the Frostbite the following January, so this has become a tradition for me,” said Dunwoody.

While this year is Dunwoody’s 16th year to compete in the race, the Frostbite Half-Marathon turns 30-years-old this year.  The three-decade-old tradition began with a group known as the Boardtown Runners and was later taken over by the OCH Wellness Connection.  This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, January 24.

OCH Wellness Connection Personal Trainer Elaine Schimpf began coordinating the event nine years ago.  She said the run typically attracts between 200 and 300 participants with the turnout largely dependent upon the weather.

“If people see that the weather will be pretty on race day, we’ll have 100 additional people sign up,” said Schimpf.

The 13.1-mile course begins with the famous bus ride from the Wellness Connection parking lot to the starting point in Pheba. The point-to-point course with rolling hills runs south on Highway 389 with a turn west onto Hospital Road for the last one-half mile.

“The race really hasn’t changed much over all these years.  The course has stayed the same, which makes for a very peaceful run except for the killer hills at the end!” said Shimpf.

For those who aren’t ready for a 13.1 mile run, the race also features a relay competition with teams of two people running 6.55 miles each.          Awards will be given to the overall male/female; masters male/female; grandmasters male/female; relay team; female age 50-59, and 60 and over; male age 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, and 70 and over; and the top three male/female finishers in the following categories:  under 19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, and 45-49.

Dunwoody has several trophies and a personal Frostbite record time of 1:25:30, but it’s not the awards that keep him coming back each year.  It’s the comradery that has developed over the years with fellow participants.

“I’ve been running this race for so long that it’s like running with my family.  Everybody knows everybody,” explained Dunwoody.  “I used to run next to Corey Martin who’s a personal trainer at Wellness, and I can remember when she got married and then had her kids.  We’ve all gotten to know each other over the years,” he said.

“The people of this community have gotten behind this event, and sponsors have really come together to support Frostbite,” said Schimpf.

One sponsor includes Rick’s Cafe where the post-race party is held annually with music from local musicians, pizza, pasta and awards.  This year, participants can expect an added element with a 30th birthday celebration for the event.

Online registration deadline is Thursday, January 22.  However, runners may register at the OCH Wellness Connection on Friday, January 23.  There will be no race day registration.  It is recommended that no one under the age of 12 participate in the Frostbite Half-Marathon. The non-refundable registration fee of $35 includes a commemorative long-sleeve t-shirt, post-race snacks and the post-race party.

For more information or to register for the event, visit www.och.org, and click on the “30th Annual Frostbite” icon on the left side of the screen, or you may contact Schimpf by email at frostbite@och.org; or call (662)323-WELL (9355).