An outdoor foot race is in the works for Harlan this summer. The Harlan County Recreation Board began making plans for a 5K race during a meeting Wednesday.
Board member Ronnie Shoope advised the board of tentative plans for the event.
“We’re going to have that race to kick start July 4,” said Shoope. “The race is June 29, the weekend before the fourth.”
Shoope said the race will be called the 2013 Black Mountain Thunder 5K Challenge.
“We’re going to have $10 discounts for all active and inactive military,” said Shoope.
Shoope expects the race to be a big event.
“The race will be a 5K, that’s 3.1 miles,” said Shoope.
Shoope said that a zip line ticket will be included in the entry fee price.
“It will be $50 entry, and if you don’t get to the zip line that day you’ll get a coupon for a different date,” said Shoope. A ticket will be available without the zip line admission for $25.
Shoope said if this event is a success, the board is considering holding similar events.
Shoope suggested a “Spartan Sprint” as a possibility.
“It’s a 4-mile run with obstacles,” said Shoope. “You have to go through stages, it’s kind of an obstacle course.”
Shoope said T-shirts will be included in the entry fee. Spectators will be allowed to view the race free of charge.
A motion was passed to allow a $10 discount on the entry fee to the event for all military personnel, active and inactive.
Board member Ken Crider advised the board he had been in contact with Tim Smith, from the Discovery Channel’s television show “Moonshiners.” Crider said they are attempting to negotiate a deal with Smith to appear at the annual “Southern Shine Crawl” event on Memorial Day weekend.
The board passed a motion to book Smith if he is available.
Crider informed the board that a computer application for the Black Mountain Thunder Outdoor Park will soon be available for download. The board began working on making the app available about two months ago. The app was developed through a deal with the Harlan Daily Enterprise and is a free download available through such outlets as iTunes App Store and Google Play Store.
According to board chairman Dallas Gilbert, the app should be available as soon as a name for it is approved. The board is considering “Black Mt. Off Road” as a moniker for the application, but there may be a problem with how many charactors are used. Gilbert said the issue should be resolved in “a day or two.”
Reach Joe P. Asher at 606-573-4510, ext. 113, jasher@civitasmedia.com


















