The race begins at 8:30 a.m. in downtown Fountain Park. The halfway point is at the
Winthrop campus. 
ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA - If you happen to be walking around the Winthrop University
campus on Feb. 27, don't be surprised if you see people running and cramming doughnuts
in their mouths.
We promise it's all for a good cause: the second annual Krispy Kreme Race-Run 4 Reading, which raises money for the Early Learning Partnership of York County. The nonprofit organization develops and promotes programs supporting the health
and academic readiness of children five years old and younger in the local community.
Last year's race saw 308 runners and raised $27,000, but Teresa Creech, executive director for the Early Learning Partnership, hopes to see at least 500
runners this year.
"Using books as tools to encourage reading, talking and playtime is one of the best
ways to promote success in a child's learning cycle and to increase brain development
and vocabulary. To do that opens doors for them in the future to be ready for school
and ready for life."
The race will begin at 8:30 a.m., but the route has changed somewhat since last year.
The route will begin at Fountain Park in downtown Rock Hill, follow along Oakland
Avenue to the front of Winthrop's campus, and then return to downtown. At the halfway
point at Winthrop, runners will be challenged to down a dozen Krispy Kreme glazed
doughnuts before completing the last half of their race.
For those who don't have an iron stomach, there are two more options:
*A casual run: Still four miles and 12 doughnuts, but you can share them;
*A new "book relay": Teams of four run one mile each, passing a book between each
team member as if it were a baton after each mile.
Creech said they also encourage teams to wear costumes this year. She's also reached
out to local school districts to encourage them to participate.
Race registration is open and volunteers are needed. Winthrop students will receive a code by e-mail to register at a discounted cost. Registration rates vary between $25 and $45 based on registration day and what kind of race registrants choose. Registration includes a long-sleeved T-shirt.
For more information on registering and volunteering, visit the race website or call the partnership at 803/323-2180.
Winthrop Preview Day Also Scheduled for Race Day
In addition to hosting runners, volunteers and families for race day, Winthrop also
will welcome prospective students and their families to campus for Preview Day.
Preview Day provides an in-depth view of academic and campus life at Winthrop. Faculty,
staff and students are available from the university's academic and student life areas
to provide prospective students with more information about Winthrop and to answer
questions. The 10 a.m.-2 p.m. schedule also includes a student-guided tour of the
campus and a tour of a sample residence hall room and concludes with a tour of the
future student's academic department.
View the Preview Day schedule and register for Preview Day.
It will be an exciting, fun-filled and informative Saturday on Feb. 27. Make plans
to be a part of this special day!
