Trading the 10K for a mile

COLUMBIA, Mo 8/20/13 (Beat Byte) -- Mizzou alum and ESPN SportsCenter anchor John Anderson is bringing the spirit of Twitter to the fundraising fun run.

Twitter swapped wordy emails for "tweets" of a mere 140 characters. Likewise, the John Anderson College Ave. Mile is swapping the traditional 5K, 10K, half-marathon, marathon, and Ultra fun run for a mere one mile.
 
Runners in three categories -- men, women, and children -- will sprint down College Avenue between Broadway and Stadium Blvd. on Sunday, September 8 to raise money for Anderson's family foundation, a longtime supporter of the Food Bank, Running Clubs and S.T.E.M. programs in the Columbia Public Schools.
 
"Our support of running clubs at Russell, Parkade and Blue Ridge elementary schools launched the idea for this race," said Anderson, a 1987 graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism and captain of the Mizzou men’s track team during his senior year. "I loved running and I’m sure that’s a big reason I also loved school."

Sanctioned and certified by USA Track & Field, the Anderson Mile starts at 9 am, with separate flights for fast runners (less than a 5:30 mile pace for men, 6:00 for women) and everyone else, including walkers. A special University division will allow colleges, schools, dorm floors and fraternities/sororities to run together or compete against each other.

Anderson -- who also hosts ABC TV's Wipeout -- and wife Tamara started their foundation in 2009 "to enrich the lives of underserved children and their families through the support of the public school system," he explained. To date, they've provided more than $225,000 for children in need.

Anderson Mile runners and walkers can register online at www.ultramaxsports.com/collegeave or by downloading the registration form from that website and mailing it to: Ultramax Sports - 2902 Forum Blvd. Suite 101, Columbia, MO 65203.