The Andalusia Civitan Club is sponsoring the city’s first-ever half marathon, along with a 5K walk and run next Saturday.

Organizer Jennifer Evers O’Neal said the club was looking for a fundraiser to replace the rodeo it once did.

“There is a growing number of runners in our community,” she said. “We have a couple of avid half-marathon runners in our Civitan Club who have participated in races in other larger cities. Generally, half marathons are held in larger cities. The closest races to us are held in Montgomery, Destin or Pensacola. Those of us in small towns have been accustomed to driving longer distances to race, Andalusia is such a beautiful and friendly city and we would like other people to experience what we get to every day.”

O’Neal said the weekend was chosen to showcase all that Andalusia does to celebrate Christmas.

“Christmas in cANDYland was a phenomenal event last December and is growing again this year,” she said. “We decided, what better way to highlight our city than to run through it while it was decorated for Christmas?”

The race begins and ends at Andalusia City Hall. The course winds through the Court Square and by Springdale, so that participants can enjoy

“We are envisioning a festive Christmas run,” O’Neal said. “The Andalusia Ballet will have dancers dressed in Nutcracker costumes cheering on the runners.”

As of Wednesday, there were 88 runners registered, including 31 in the half marathon and 57 walkers and runners registered for the 5K. There were 26 people traveling further than 100 miles to participate, including some from Louisiana, North Carolina and Florida.

“We even have one runner who is coming from Missouri,” O’Neal said. “She is running a half marathon in all 50 United States. We are state No. 44 and for her and she has chosen our race for Alabama.

“We are expecting many more to sign up on the race day,” O’Neal said. “It is not too late to register.”

Online registration is available at active.com or ChronoTrack.com. There also is an Andalusia Civitan Club Holiday Half Marathon and 5K page.

Volunteers also are needed.

“We need at least at least 100 volunteers,” O’Neal said. “We need someone at 43 turns (every intersection), finish line helpers, photo-graphers,water stations, food table, etc.

“The more people cheering we have, the better experience the runner has,” O’Neal said. “We would love for the participants to want to come back to our race every year. There is generally a loyalty runners have with races. If they have a fun time, they are more likely to return year after year.”

Participants will receive a long-sleeve T-shirt featuring an original Robert Evers picture of cANDYland. Medals are custom ceramic. The first 150 runners will receive one of these each. They can be used as is or converted to a Christmas tree ornament.

There will be a package pick up and registration on Fri., Dec. 4, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the old Board of Education office behind Andalusia City Hall.

The race begins at 7:30 a.m. at Andalusia City Hall. The awards ceremony is set for 10:30 a.m. at Springdale.

Civitan also is encouraging runners to refuel at the annual Pilot Club Pancake Breakfast.