5K to honor Jones’ memory

‘Don’t Take a Chance…’

Runners and walkers will crowd the JA Ranch Road this Saturday to raise awareness about child abuse during the first Chance Mark Jones Memorial 5K Walk/Run.

As of Tuesday morning, more than 180 people had registered for the event. Some of those just want to be supporters of the effort, but organizers believe about 160 people will actually participate in the event, which is coinciding with Child Abuse Prevention Month.

The race will start and end at the Community Fellowship Church and will run along the scenic JA Ranch Road. Sign-ins start at 7 a.m., and the start time is 8 a.m. Participants who have already registered are encouraged to pick up their race packets on Friday evening from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Best Western Red River Inn.

In addition to local participants, the event has drawn numerous runners and walkers from all over the Texas Panhandle and other parts of the state. Participants are registered from as far off as Burkburnett, and sponsorships have come in from as far as San Antonio. Sponsorships are still being accepted to support the race, and proceeds will go towards a playground project that can be enjoyed by all the children of Donley County.

The Clarendon Lions Club is hosting the event in conjunction with the Donley County Child Welfare Board. The race is intended to bring the community together to honor the life of four-year-old Chance Mark Jones, who died on January 5, 2011, after two weeks of abuse by his biological father in a rural home near Clarendon. Jones would have celebrated his seventh birthday on April 11.

Those interested in running or walking in the 5K (a little more than three miles) can sign up the day of the event, but T-shirt supplies are extremely limited. Registrations may also be picked up in person at the Clarendon Visitor Center located at the Mulkey Theatre, 110 S. Kearney.

For information, contact Lion Chandra Eggemeyer at tourism@cityofclarendontx.com or by calling 806.874.2421 or 325.234.3401.