Mill Chill

DECEMBER 8, 2019

BY KESHA WILLIAMS

MILL CHILL

42

December is just a few calendar pages away. Michael Forrester is focused on the second Sunday, Dec. 8, when hundreds of visitors and locals will gather at Rocky Mount Mills for the Mill Chill.

This year marks the fourth year the event has drawn participants for a day of friendly competition and benevolence. Some participants will opt for the 1.5 mile walk/run while others will select the fourmile race. That four-mile trek will lead them through the scenic route of Rocky Mount’s Battle Park. Prizes are in store for the winners of the four-mile race that include runners from the teen years and runners over age 70.

Forrester, coordinator of the event, said proceeds will again benefit the Greater Carolina Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Forrester’s wife, Ursula, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2014 but has maintained an active lifestyle that included multiple races and marathons. She remains his inspiration and will assist as event coordinator.

“I love to do this event. We are passionate about this and raising awareness of multiple sclerosis. The funds we raise contribute toward the research and hopefully one day a cure for MS,” Forrester said. “Right now the numbers (of registered participants) are about where they were this time last year. People tend to register over time and more will register nearer the date of the event.

“It’s good to know many of the breweries who come to this event bring some of the runners needed to form teams for the race. Other runners will come on their own or in small groups.”

The breweries bring a refreshing blend of craft brews to soothe thirsty runners after the race and the fans who come to support of the event. Forrester notes a luscious selection of craft brews is just the fundraiser bait needed to lure a crowd of Carolinians who have witnessed an increasing number of breweries rise across the state. Twenty guest, craft breweries will complement the selection of beers served daily by breweries located at Rocky Mount Mills. The chance to sample craft beers is a simple, but measured pleasure after the race.

“I make it clear that it is not our objective for people to come here and get drunk. People can go elsewhere and find beer fests where they will drink rounds of beer. With this event, we show that people can run then responsibly drink and celebrate,” Forrester said. “It’s common for breweries to have running clubs associated with them so having breweries sponsor the race brings more people to the event. Some breweries attending this year are new to the Mill Chill. We’re looking forward to a crowd of hopefully 600 to 800 people that Sunday.”

The race begins at 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 8. Forrester said he expects to see some runners returning to the event after participating in past years. The minimum number of people needed to form a team is five girls, five guys but it is not uncommon for teams to include more than 10 runners.

Forrester estimates 80 percent are not residents of Rocky Mount. They come from Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Roanoke Rapids and many other communities where runners are active. Some run for exercise and enjoy a few events per year. Others are building on a career of races that began in their in their high school or college years. Participants in this race receive a Mill Chill race shirt, a customized race number and a commemorative glass.

Although competition churns the wheels of the Mill Chill, the thrills of the day aren’t limited to walkers and runners. Forrester is confident the restaurants of Rocky Mount Mills and two, guest topnotch food trucks — Wandering Moose and CockADoodleMoo — will win more fans to this event. The band of the day, Matty Begs, has roots in Wilson and Rocky Mount. They will entertain the crowd from 2 to 5 p.m.

All registered runners have free access to the post race celebration. Guests come for free or can become a supporter. For $18, donors age 18 and over, will receive an event shirt, a commemorative tasking glass and two craft beer samples. Registration for the competition is underway and will continue through Oct. 31. Visit https://www.millchill.com for all the details.