In its fourth year, organizers anticipate more than 1,000 hardy souls will answer the starter’s call for the Charlie Melvin Mad Bomber Run for Your Life July 12-13.
A 5K run and 3K walk will entice participants to the starting line at 12:26 a.m. Saturday, July 14, the exact time when Melvin, haunted by demon rum, blasted taverns on West Street with dynamite and etched his name in the annals of Iola.
“We had 807 in the race and walk last year and our goal this year is to have more than 1,000,” said David Toland, Thrive Allen County executive director.
Thrive and Allen County Crime Stoppers are sponsors and expect the night’s activities — including those leading up to the race and walk — to raise much of the money each organization will use for civic endeavors through the year.
Registration for the race and walk is open and may be done in person at the Thrive office, 12 W. Jackson Ave. or online at www.madbomberrun.com.
“Today is not too soon to register,” said Toland. “The race is just a little over 10 weeks away.”
A NEW event this year will be a Parade of Lights around the north half of the Allen County Courthouse square, with all entries requiring illumination.
Toland suggested Christmas lights, glow sticks or paint or “any ways to light up your entry. It would be fun to have a tractor or two with Christmas lights strung around the big wheels.”
“The sky’s the limit,” Toland said, including innovative ways that bold men willing to shed their inhibitions and dress like women for the “drag” race can come up with to light up themselves.
No pyrotechnics will be allowed.
“The 9:30 p.m. parade will be a good family-fun addition that will enliven things midway through the evening,” he said. Prizes will be given winners in various divisions, including one for kids who decorate and ride their bicycles in the procession.
Drag racers will congregate on the west side of the square immediately after the parade and do their thing — no matter how exaggerated it might be — at 10:30. Last year the Register’s Joe Sneve, young and quick, was the individual winner and promised to return to defend his title. Sneve left his Register job in late April for a position near his home in South Dakota.
“We’ll also have inflatable carnival toys for the kids again this year and Tyler Gregory, a one-man band from Lawrence, will play at the grandstand,” Toland said. The Brass Boomers, a small brass band, and Four Days barbershop quartet also will entertain.
Those who like cars and motorcycles will find sterling examples of each on the west side of the square and concession stands will ensure no one goes hungry.
Retelling of Melvin’s extraordinary tale will precede the race.
“We’re going to have much more this year than we had for any of the first three Melvin events,” Toland said.
Local sponsors will be joined by several from Topeka and Kansas City, including the Kansas City T-Bones independent professional baseball team, which will give away tickets.
