Sam Lapidus Montclair Run Set For Thanksgiving

In the spirit of double chai, there is double incentive to participate in the Sam Lapidus Montclair Run on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 25.

The run, coordinated by Birmingham’s Levite Jewish Community Center, allows individuals to get in some good exercise and “create more room for the Thanksgiving feast.” Additionally, the proceeds benefit the Childhood Cancer Research Fund at Children’s Hospital, as well as the LJCC.

“It’s a great day to get out and run. It’s fun, the whole family can be involved and it’s for a good cause,” said LJCC Sports and Fitness Director Dan Tourtellotte. “It is a great atmosphere. And since we have a 10-kilometer and a one-mile fun run, people have different options for participation. We’re also looking for more volunteers,” he said.

This is the 34th year for the Montclair Run and the second in Sam Lapidus’s honor.
In 2009, the run set a record for participation with more than 1,000 in the 10-kilometer event and raised a record amount of money. The event netted $6,000 for Children’s Hospital.

Tourtellotte said the challenging course for the 10K runs out and back on Montclair Road through Mountain Brook and Birmingham. It has some rolling hills and “some of the hills are deceiving. It is a challenging course for serious runners, but I would say about 85 percent of the folks who come out just want to enjoy themselves and maybe beat their previous best time,” he said.

The 10K starts at 8:30 a.m. and the one-mile fun run starts at 9:45 a.m. Registration online is $30 per person for the 10K before Nov. 19. It’s $36 for paper registration and $36 for registration after Nov. 19.

The fun run costs $15 per participant and on the registration there is also an option to make a donation to Children’s Hospital — called “Sleep in for Sam” — for those who cannot be there the day of the run.

Awards will be given out in different categories for the 10K winners. The LJCC will also draw for door prizes.