Makin’ Macon Fit Family Fitness Festival Saturday, Sept. 12

Supported completely by local volunteers, primarily the Lafayette Rotary, Interact Clubs, the Macon County Health Council, Macon County Coordinated School Health, Macon County General Hospital, and UT Extension the event is designed to benefit Macon County Schools, teachers and the community. 

Starting off the day, Jacey Russell will sing the National Anthem at 7:15 a.m., and Representative Keisling will be on hand to greet participants at the festival. 

Fitness events will then begin at 7:30 a.m. with the 5K Race, sponsored again this year by Nestle Waters, and then the 3 Mile Walk will be sponsored by Citizens Bank.

“We are very proud to have Nestle Water as our 5K sponsor again this year,” said Macon Fit Chairperson Stacy Brawner. “The 5k Race is a perfect race for the new runner. We are going to add a new twist to the race to celebrate our 22nd annul race. We are encouraging participants to run with teams/organizations and each team with the most participants will receive $200 toward their team they are representing.”

Awards will be given to the overall male and female winners. “We will also award the top two finishers in each age category for male and female runners,” noted Stacy.

At 8 a.m., participants will begin the 1-Mile Walk, sponsored by Macon Bank & Trust and the 10-Mile Bike Tour, sponsored by Knollwood Manor.

“The one-mile walk that we added a couple of year’s ago was very successful,” said Brawner, “so we are keeping it in the event lineup.”

Children can also participate in the 10 mile bike tour, but a parent or guardian is required to ride with them if they are under the age of 12. Bike helmets are required.

Stacy says the young children will enjoy the kids’ events, which include the bike rodeo, sponsored by Lafayette Children’s Clinic, obstacle course, sponsored by  Macon County Coordinated School Health, and fun run, sponsored by Macon County Schools. “There will be games and inflatable bouncy tents, sponsored by NCTC” said Brawner, “along with door prizes to be given away. There will be at least 14 bicycles to be given away and other items donated by several organizations. The prize drawings will take place at approximately 11:00 a.m.”   

Special Needs Events, sponsored by Macon County Times, will begin at 9:30 a.m. and are open to anyone with a disability.  

The cost to participate in each event is as follows: 5K Race, 45-Mile Bike Tour ($20 for those pre-registered, $25 otherwise), all other events including kids and special needs ($8 for those pre-registered, $10 otherwise).

The school with the most participants will receive $500 and the second place school will receive $300. The teacher with the most support will win $200. Additional proceeds from the event will help fund a college scholarship and support Lafayette Rotary and Interact Club community projects. 

Booths will also be set up under a tent in a central location, where healthy snacks and plenty of fruits and drinks will be available.

“I’d like to encourage everyone to come out and participate in this event,” said Macon County General Hospital Administrator Dennis Wolford. “This is a great family event that promotes the importance of living a healthy lifestyle and remaining fit. I urge kids to participate. It’s going to be a big day… a fun day for everyone!”

Sponsors for this year’s event include Nestle Waters, Citizens Bank, Macon Bank & Trust, Cobb Vantress, Macon County Coordinated School Health, The White House Assisted Living, Benchmark Title Company, North Central Telephone Cooperative, Quorum Health Resources, Knollwood Manor, the Macon County Chronicle, the Macon County Times, Tri-County Electric, Gallagher Insurance, Farm Bureau, the Family Care Center, Championship Trophies, Comprehensive Rehab, Crichton Group, Optometric Physicians of Middle Tennessee, Macon County Schools, Bernard Health, Hope Family Clinic, Upper Mid-Tennessee Rural Health Network and Lafayette Children’s Clinic.

“We’d really like to thank our sponsors,” Brawner and Wolford added. “Every year, they get behind this event and show their support.” 

Pre-registration forms are available at, and may be taken to, any local branch of Citizens Bank or Macon Bank & Trust and can also be picked up at Macon County General Hospital. Runners and bike riders may register online at active.com. Participants are urged to register before Sept. 4 to be guaranteed a shirt but can register the day of the event.

“We are working hard to make this year’s event the biggest and best ever.”

For further information contact Stacey Brawner at (615) 666-2147 ext. 338 or sbrawner@mcgh.net.