The Fort Mill High School cross country team will hold its third annual Buzz, Sweat & Tears 5K on Sunday, Oct. 25, at Bob Jones Stadium, and organizers are recruiting sponsors, vendors and food trucks ahead of the race.
The event is the program’s signature fundraiser. Money raised keeps the team free of mandatory participation fees, according to the team’s sponsorship packet, and covers uniforms, travel, race entry fees, water coolers and sun shelters. The program draws athletes from Fort Mill High School and three feeder schools, Gold Hill Middle, Pleasant Knoll Middle and Banks Trail Middle.
Race day schedule
Setup begins at 11:30 a.m. and the event runs from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the stadium, 225 Munn Road East. Check in opens at noon and the 5K starts at 1 p.m., followed by prizes, music and food.
The course is mostly paved and winds through the Fort Mill High School campus. Organizers say the race is open to all ages and fitness levels and that walkers are welcome. A free half mile fun run is open to children 10 and younger. Costumes are encouraged. Dogs are not permitted, and strollers are allowed only for registered walkers, not runners.
Awards go to the top three overall male and female finishers and to top finishers in each age group, beginning with runners 11 to 19 and running through the 60 and older division.
Registration
Regular registration is $35 through Sept. 30. The price rises to $40 from Oct. 1 through Oct. 23 and to $45 for late entries. Runners who prefer to stay home can enter the Couch Edition virtual 5K for $25, with virtual registration closing at 6 p.m. Oct. 24. Runners who register by Sept. 25 are guaranteed a commemorative shirt in their size. Shirts are not included with virtual entry.
Sponsorship levels
The team is offering three sponsorship tiers. Bronze sponsors, at $250 to $499, receive a small logo on event shirts, a social media mention, one race entry and a thank you letter with a team photo.
Silver sponsors, at $500 to $1,000, receive a larger shirt logo, social and print recognition where applicable, the chance to place branded items in race packets or raffles, two race entries or event shirts, recognition on event signs and banners, and a certificate for display.
Gold sponsors, at $1,000 and above, receive premium logo placement, up to four race entries plus team gear, naming rights for mile markers or water stations, banner placement at registration or on the photo backdrop, an opportunity to speak at the race or team banquet, and a plaque for their business.
Businesses may also contribute products, services or discounts rather than cash. The packet notes that sponsorships are tax deductible.
Vendor village
Vendors and food trucks are being recruited for a vendor village at the stadium. There are no sales minimums, and participating businesses are asked to donate 10% to 20% of their event proceeds to the team. Organizers are also accepting prize and gift card donations and are offering branding on mile markers, finisher tokens, trophies and photo backdrops.
Sponsors, vendors and food truck operators can sign up through the team’s Google form at forms.gle/7zYrQGBp35ovrpiB8.
Registration, course details, award divisions and a donation link are available at runsignup.com/Race/SC/FortMill/BuzzSweatTears5k. Registration prices increase Oct. 1, and the shirt guarantee deadline for runners is Sept. 25.
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Thomas Hyslip lives in Tega Cay with his wife and daughter. After 27 years in the U.S. Army and Federal Law Enforcement, he retired to pursue his passion for teaching. Tom is now an Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida. In 2 short years he has won 10 awards from the South Carolina Press Association, including first place in column writing, education beat reporting and best podcast.
