Waxhaw, N.C. April 11, 2011 - - The Waxhaw-Weddington Sunrise Rotary will host the sixth and biggest ever Waxhaw Town and Country Run Friday, April 29 at 7 p.m. in historic downtown Waxhaw N.C. 

Club president Cathy Burn says, “The Waxhaw-Weddington Sunrise Rotary Club invites participants to join them and the race’s sponsors in benefiting Turning Point of Union County by their participation. Turning Point provides critical help to victims of abuse and their dependent children.”

Burns adds, “In addition, funds will be used for service in other areas. In the past, Waxhaw-Weddington Sunrise Rotary Club has assisted with clothing and an outdoor basketball court for South Providence School students, providing funds for Crisis Assistance Ministries, as well as for other local and international efforts.”

For the second year, Carolinas Medical Center-Union is the lead sponsor of the event which is expected to have over 500 runners running through picturesque old Waxhaw with close to 1,000 cheering them on.

CMC Union President Michael Lutes says, “We are delighted to again support this great 5K run. By doing so we know we are promoting good health habits in a wonderful community atmosphere. At the same time we are also able to be part of the local Waxhaw-Weddington Rotary club’s efforts in assisting abused woman and children through Turning Point of Union County and other Rotary service efforts.

Naomi Herndon, Turning Point’s executive director, shared how domestic violence grew rapidly over the past few years along with the economic struggles of American families, “The number of crisis calls we received at Turning Point increased by a dramatic 45 percent just as it has at shelters across the nation. Tragically, we continue to see a steady flow of abused, suffering women and their children, fleeing danger and seeking safety at Turning Point.”

Herndon added, “We are so very grateful to the wonderful members of the Waxhaw-Weddington Sunrise Rotary Club for taking up their cause. This kind of support can mean the difference in living and dying for some of our clients.”

A 1/2 mile Fun Run will take place before the 5K.  Fitness walk and baby joggers are welcome at either the ½ either event or the 5K.  Check-in begins at 5:30 p.m. on E. North Main near the old the fire station. The ½ mile and fitness walk starts at 6:40 p.m. with the 5 K race at 7 p.m. Baby joggers and wheelchairs will start at 7:05 p.m.

Registration is $20 for the 5K before April 15 and $30 race day. The fun run and fitness walk is $10, and $12 after April 15. Food will be available for purchase and refreshments will be available for runners.

Rotary International is an international service club with 1.2 million members worldwide.  Members volunteer their time and talent in living out the Rotary motto, “Service above Self.”  The Waxhaw-Weddington Sunrise Rotary Club has 26 members, and meets every Thursday morning at 7:30 a.m. at Rippington’s Restaurant in Waxhaw. Visitors are welcome.

To find out more about the race and how to register, go to wwsrotaryclub.org or www.waxhawrun.com, e-mail waxhawrun@gmail.com, or call Larry Hook at 704-618-8087