LIFE

SPORTS

The Last Leg Charities Brace as the Mercedes Marathon Prepares for Its Final Run

By Anne Ruisi

The head of The Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs, the nonprofit children’s organization that is the primary beneficiary of the Mercedes-Benz Marathon, said that, while the organization will miss the annual event after its last run in February, her group has lined up events and other ways to raise financial support.

“It’s a loss but we will be fine,” said Jeannie Colquett, The Bell Center’s executive director. “We’re very sad to see the Mercedes Marathon events ending, but we do have a lot of events” during the year to support the organization.

The marathon event raised $175,000 in 2022 and more than $3 million in its history for The Bell Center, according to an event press release.

While The Bell Center has been the main charity beneficiary of the marathon, it’s not the only one. Individuals and nonprofits also register and use their participation in the marathon to raise money for their charity interests, event founder Valerie Cuddy said.

The Mercedes Marathon began in 2001 as a vehicle to raise money for charity. Over the years, the races have attracted more than 200,000 runners, have helped local charities raise in excess of $5 million and have provided more than $60 million in direct economic impact for the Greater Birmingham region, according to the press release.

The marathon has been a Boston Marathon qualifying race and one of few qualifying marathons in the Southeast, making it a major event on the regional running calendar. It also previously hosted U.S. Olympic Men’s Marathon Trials.

But event production costs have increased, and financial and other resource support have declined, leading Birmingham Marathon Inc. officials to make the decision to close the marathon after the 2023 run. Now they are considering new events and avenues to support local beneficiaries.

“I’m sad about, it but it’s one of those things. It’s time to move on,” Cuddy said. “It’s been a great event for the city, for the runners.”

Cuddy said she’s grateful for all the support the marathon has received over the years.

“With this being the finale of the prestigious Mercedes-Benz Marathon Weekend of Events, we want to say how tremendously thankful we are of all the support we have received from Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, the community and countless sponsors throughout our more than two decades in existence,” Cuddy said.

Courtesy Race events will include the marathon, half marathon, marathon relay, kids marathon, Superhero 5K and The Bell Center Children’s Run.

The Last of the Marathons

The last Mercedes-Benz Marathon in Birmingham will be run Feb. 10-12.

Events will include the marathon, half marathon, marathon relay, kids marathon, Superhero 5K and The Bell Center Children’s Run. Each race begins and ends at Linn Park in downtown Birmingham.

Then there is The Bell Center Children’s Run, a special event that will be held at 10 a.m. Feb. 11. The center’s children participate in the last 50 feet of the race route and cross the official finish line, Colquett said. Some will run, some will walk, others will be in strollers pushed by a parent.

The race’s BellRunner program is designed to motivate and support participants who agree to raise $100 per mile for The Bell Center when they run any of the adult races, Colquett said. The program pairs a participant with a child who is receiving lifechanging early intervention therapies at The Bell Center, and the runner/ walker will train and raise funds in the name of that child.

“It’s a fun way to participate in the last Mercedes Marathon,” Colquett said, adding that each BellRunner will get to wear a photo of The Bell Center child.

The Bell Center, which was founded in 1984, offers programs for children from birth to age 3 who are diagnosed with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, brain injuries, blindness or more than 100 other genetic diagnoses or delays.

Colquett said that, over the years, the organization has developed other events and ways to fund its early intervention services. These include seasonal events such as the Tailgate Challenge in August, and cornhole and golf tournaments and a gala in the spring.

For more information about the marathon, visit mercedesmarathon. com.

Vestavia Hills Civic Center Opens With Fitness Center, Meeting Areas

By Anne Ruisi

The long-anticipated Vestavia Hills Civic Center is open and welcoming residents and others who want to use the facilities.

The 100,000-square-foot building is separated into two sections, said Sandi Wilson, a program superintendent with the city of Vestavia Hills, with one side dedicated to the gymnasium and fitness center and offices, and the other set aside for meeting rooms and offices for the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce.

In the center is “hangout space,” with a seating area in an atrium-like setting and civic center include: • A gymnasium with two full-size courts striped for basketball, volleyball and pickleball • A three-lane walking track that is 1/10 of a mile around • Workout equipment in a fitness area featuring weight training machines, and fitness and cardio equipment • Multipurpose spaces for dance, exercise and fitness classes

Memberships are on sale now for individuals, families and adults over 55 who want to use the fitness facilities.

Costs vary, with individual memberships for the civic center at $15 a month or $135 annually; add an aquatic complex membership and the total is $210 a year.

Family memberships are $35 a month, $300 annually and $500 a year for the aquatic complex/civic center combo. For adults 55 and older, the cost is $10 a month, $100 a year and $125 for the combo.

Track passes are $25 a year and $12 annually for adults 55 and older.

You can sign up online at vhrecreation. activityreg.com.

Civic center hours are Sunday, 1-5 p.m.; Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.- 9 p.m.; Friday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Saturday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

From left: Mountain Brook Chamber Board President Walter Crye, Jemison Visionary Award Recipient Alice Womack, and Mountain Brook Chamber Executive Director, Emily Jensen.

Mountain Brook Chamber Sets Luncheon, Award Presentations and Celebration of the City

The Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce will host its annual luncheon Jan. 25 at 11 a.m.

The event will include lunch, networking and a celebration of the city of Mountain Brook. This year, the chamber will honor the Jemison Visionary Award Winner, former City Councilor Alice Womack of Oakworth Bank. The O’Neal Library will present the Tynes Award to the Friends of the Library, and the city will recognize the Co-City Employees of the Year, Janet Forbes and Heather Richards.

This is the first time there was a tie for the honor, City Manager Sam Gaston said.

This event also celebrates the accomplishments of the chamber during the year, in addition to recognizing outgoing board President Walter Crye.

“The city of Mountain Brook has always had a close relationship and partnership with our Chamber of Commerce,” said City Manager Sam Gaston. “We work closely together to promote our business community and special events to enhance the quality of life. This has been true since the chamber was formed in 1998 as a result of a strategic planning initiative by the city,”

For more information about the luncheon or to register, visit mtnbrookchamber.org. Additional inquiries can be directed to Emily Jensen, Mountain Brook chamber executive director.

—Anne Ruisi

5299 Valleydale Road, Suite 111 980-9030 southeasternjewelers.net (1/4 mile off 280)

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To: Renee From: Over The Mountain Journal, 205-823-9646 ph.,

Date: December

This is your AD PROOF from the OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL for the Dec. 15, 2022 issue. Please contact your sales representative as soon as possible to approve your ad or make changes. You may fax approval or changes to 824-1246.

Please make sure all information is correct, including address and phone number!

If we have not heard from you by 5 pm of the Friday before the press date, your ad will run as is. We print the paper Monday. Thank you for your prompt attention.

STRUTTING INTO THE SEASON

Floats, Performers March Through Mountain Brook During Parade

Crowds lined the streets of Mountain Brook Village on Dec. 4 to celebrate the season at the Mountain Brook Holiday Parade.

Floats were part of the parade, and performances by Mountain Brook City Schools cheerleaders, dance teams and bands livened the event, with the Jolly Old Elf himself waving to the crowds. —Journal photos by Jordan Wald

THE STAR’S ALIGHT FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Homewood Celebrates With Parade, Christmas Tree Lighting and Star Lighting

In celebration of the season, the 2022 Lighting of the Star and Homewood Christmas Parade, along with the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree, was held Dec. 6 in downtown Homewood.

Events began with the traditional Homewood Christmas Parade, which started at the Homewood Library and made its way to downtown. At the top of 18th Street, the parade officially began as it paused for the lighting of the historic Homewood Star by Mayor Patrick McClusky with special guest Piggly Wiggly owner Stanley Virciglio (pictured top left) in celebration of the Pig’s expansion news. The Parade continued to City Hall, where it culminated with the lighting of the Christmas tree. —Journal photos by Jordan Wald