The cancelled Run for the River event will be held.
A major draw for downtown Kinston, the event is back, thanks to a sponsor — the little bank — which has volunteered to take the lead in organizing the ninth annual race.
The city’s 8K race and One Mile Fun Run, which attracts hundreds of competitive runners every year, is scheduled to happen March 29.
The Pride of Kinston cancelled the event last month, citing financial concerns, including a decrease of $16,000 from its budget due to a grant and increased loan repayment fees.
“A lot of folks were disappointed that we weren’t going to do it,” Pride Executive Director Adrian King said.
When the Pride announced it was canceling the race, little bank officials contacted the Pride and offered financial and staffing help.
The new name will be the little bank, inc./Pride of Kinston Run for the River.
CEO Rob Jones, based in Greenville, and Kinston City Executive Scott Newton, both of the little bank, met with Pride staff Tuesday to map out a plan for a joint effort.
“We think the race brings a lot of good attention to Kinston, and attracts a ton of people from all over the state,” Newton said. “Pride has done a great job producing a quality event, and we want to make sure it retains those virtues.”
The little bank has been a corporate sponsor of the race since its beginning in 2006, and a number of its employees have participated in the 4.97-mile race and the One Mile Fun Run.
Pride will continue to help with organizing the race, while the little bank will provide volunteers on race day, as well as support the event financially, Newton said.
“We’re just wanting to help any way we can,” he said.
Jeremy Jones, the bank’s commercial lender, has chaired or co-chaired the race committee, of which King is a member, each year and will continue to head the committee in 2014.
Newton said he didn’t want to see the race eliminated after eight years of success.
“We just saw a great need to step in and assist,” he said, “and, hopefully, see it for a long time.”
The race begins at the King Street/Skinner Bypass intersection at Rotary Dog Park, wraps around downtown Mitchelltown and ends along the Neuse River on Herritage Street at the Kinston-Lenoir County Farmers Market. The One Mile Fun Run begins and ends in the Neuseway Nature Center.
“We are real grateful for the little bank’s interest and support,” King said. “It is gratifying that the bank has endorsed this effort this way.”
There is a need for about 100 volunteers, Newton said. To volunteer, call the little bank at 252-939-3900.
Margaret Fisher can be reached at 252-559-1082 or Margaret.Fisher@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @MargaretFishr.