Stay safe during Runnin O’ the Green

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Hundreds and maybe thousands of people will gather near the Frontier Fort today to take part in the 35th annual Runnin O’ the Green.

Participants will run, walk, slide and stumble down the hill, cross the James River and go through McElroy Park into downtown Jamestown where they can stop at nine bars along the designated route.

The direct economic impact of the run is estimated at $354,000 to the local community. That’s good for business and our community.

On top of that, the run raises thousands of dollars each year for charitable causes. If you’re running, be sure to pay the $10 registration fee. Many volunteers and officials contribute a great deal of work to make sure the Runnin O’ the Green is a fun event that raises money for good causes, and the money really does make a difference.

We welcome all the runners here to support this cause, especially those who’ve traveled to make the run. We hope our visitors have a wonderful time, but also stay safe in our city.

There will be plenty of alcohol consumed before, during and after the run. That’s OK as long as it’s done in moderation, but when taken to excess it puts people in danger. Be smart about how much you consume and stay in the designated areas when you consume it.

Do not drink and drive. Have a designated driver in your group. If that’s not feasible, there are taxi companies and volunteer groups providing rides to anyone needing transportation.

Runnin O’ the Green founder and organizer Larry Knoblich said people don’t have to drink alcohol when they stop at the participating pubs. Pop, juice and water are fine alternatives and you can still mingle with crowd in the designated outdoor areas.

Just as participants need to be careful, so do motorists. There will be a lot of people walking through town Saturday afternoon and evening, so drivers will need to be alert. It’s probably a good idea to avoid some of those congested areas unless you need to be there.

Be safe and have fun at the run.

(Editorials are the opinion of Jamestown Sun management and the newspaper’s editorial board)

Tags: opinion, editorials, events