By Beverly Harvey

Published: March 12, 2008

Pre-registration is under way for the inaugural Two by Two Unity Run 5K and 1-mile event sponsored by Envision Opelika to be held March 29.

The event promotes cultural diversity and encourages participants of different cultures or ethnicities to run or walk together as one - joined at the wrist. Participants can run, walk or use a wheelchair in the 1-mile event.

The Two by Two Unity Run is sponsored by the Envision Opelika’s Race Relations/Cultural Diversity Task Force, which plans to make it an annual event, Envision Opelika Executive Director Barbara Patton said.

The idea for the Unity Run came from a similar event held in Selma, Patton said.

All ages are invited to take part in the run. The event will be held rain or shine, Patton said.

The 5K run will begin at 8 a.m. The 1-mile event will begin at 9:30 a.m. Registration the day of the event will be held at the Opelika Municipal Recreation Center, 1102 Denson Drive, an hour before each race, Patton said.

Pre-registration costs are:

- $15 for solo runners and $10 for each person in a linked pair for the 5K run;

- $8 for solo participants and $6 for each person in a linked pair for the 1-mile run/walk/wheel.

Registration the day of the event will cost:

- $20 for solo runners and $15 for each person in a linked pair for the 5K fun;

- $10 for solo participants and $8 for each person in a linked pair for the 1-mile run/walk/wheel.

Participants who register by Friday are guaranteed a T-shirt. After that date, T-shirts will be provided while supplies last.

Cash awards from $50 to $120 will be given to the top-three linked pairs and solo runners. Part of the awards ceremony will be held at the city’s Garden in the Park event to be held at Municipal Park, Patton said.

Proceeds from the Two by Two Unity Run will go toward the Character Education program, Miracle Field and Keep Opelika Beautiful.

For more information and an online registration form for the Two by Two Unity Run, visit the following Web sites: http://www.envisionopelika.org or http://www.auburnrunning.org.