By Ashley Brugnone, CMP Writer
TALLADEGA, Alabama – Despite most area races cancelling for the year, the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) is thrilled to announce the continuation of its annual CMP 5K Range Run & 1K Fun Run as planned on Sept. 19, 2020, at the CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park.
Last year, over 100 participants of all ages participated in the event. As in past years, all proceeds will benefit the Presbyterian Home for Children in Alabama and CMP youth marksmanship programs.
The event is held at the CMP’s Talladega Marksmanship Park, located near the famous Talladega Superspeedway. The 500-acre facility, coined the “Home of Marksmanship,” offers a variety of rifle, pistol and shotgun opportunities and is open to the public all year long.
The CMP 5K Range Run & 1K Fun Run will be held on a course designed along the paved paths of Talladega Marksmanship Park – allowing an open space for all participants as well as the opportunity to flow through and explore the several unique areas the facility. Ample parking is available onsite, and the park’s Club House offers clean restrooms, a fully-stocked CMP Store and a comfortable escape from the Alabama summer heat.
Although it is CMP’s hope to hold our upcoming events, please keep in mind that we may have to cancel due to COVID-19 issues. For those events that we do conduct, we will follow the appropriate state’s guidelines and recommendations. We continue to monitor the venue states’ guidelines and adjust our procedures based on those guidelines and common sense. As always, the safety of our customers and employees is our priority.
Since the race is held within an enclosure of the park, the decision was made to hold the race as planned. Extra measures to ensure the safety of everyone involved will be put in place, including a staggered start for each race and social distancing while within the park. All runners of the 5K will have individual timing chips, so start times will not affect placement in age group or overall times.
Also, contrary to prior years, there will be a minimal opening ceremony, awards will be mailed to winners and food will be provided in to-go bags for participants at the end of the event. Hand sanitizer will be readily available throughout the grounds as well.
The 5K race will begin at 7 a.m., with the 1K Fun Run following at 8 a.m. Awards will be administered to the Top 3 overall males and Top 3 overall females, as well as for individual age groups. Door prizes will also be drawn at random.
Entry fees for the 5K are $18 before Sept. 1 and $25 after. Members of the military and their families may enter for $15, as well as members of the Anniston Runners Club and the Gadsden Runners Club. Entry for the 1K Fun Run is $5. T-Shirts are guaranteed only if registered before September 10th.
Those interested may register online at https://runsignup.com/Race/AL/Talladega/CMP5KRangeRun.
For more information, email CMP’s Matt Camp at mcamp@thecmp.org. We hope to see you there!
About the CMP:
The CMP Talladega Marksmanship is open to the public and provides weekly marksmanship classes featuring pistol, rifle and shotgun.
The CMP’s youth programs reach hundreds of young adults through outreach programs and monthly matches held at its Anniston and Talladega, Alabama, facilities, as well as at its Port Clinton, Ohio, location. In addition, the CMP conducts summer camps to teach marksmanship skills, discipline and teamwork that are necessary to compete in shooting events. These camps are conducted in the permanent locations mentioned above as well as in various locations throughout the U.S. through the use of its mobile and traveling target systems.
About Talladega Marksmanship Park:
The CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park, just off of I-20, is a destination for firearm supporters and those intrigued by the sport, featuring exclusive CMP electronic targets and scoring monitors that can only be found at the 500-acre facility. The park is open to the public every week and regularly hosts rifle, pistol and shotgun events all year long.
Off of the firing line, the Club House holds a fully-stocked CMP Store that includes an extensive collection of marksmanship equipment, accessories and CMP memorabilia. Plan a visit to the “Home of Marksmanship” today! Visit the CMP website at https://thecmp.org/ranges/talladega-marksmanship-park/ to learn more.
About the Presbyterian Home for Children:
Raising Hopes, Growing Confidence, & Nurturing Faith Since 1868. The Presbyterian Home for Children serves children, young adults, and families from throughout Alabama who seek healing and hope for their troubled lives. To learn more, visit www.phfc.org.
The Civilian Marksmanship Program is a federally chartered 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation. It is dedicated to firearm safety and marksmanship training and to the promotion of marksmanship competition for citizens of the United States. For more information about the CMP and its programs, log onto www.TheCMP.org.