Delano Park 12-Hour Run Attracts Athletes from Across the United States

The River City Runners Club will host the eighth annual Delano Park 12-Hour Run on March 8, 2014 at Delano Park. Registration is open and entries received to date represent eight states as far north as Maryland and westward to California.

The race consists of multiple laps of a USATF-certified one-mile path through Delano Park. Participants can compete as individuals or as part of relay teams with the goal to complete as many laps as possible within the 12-hour time limit.

The event will kickoff at 6 a.m. and conclude at 6 p.m. On line registration is available at www.ultrasignup.com, keyword Delano or race forms are available by contacting jklca5@att.net. Packet pickup, late registration and a pasta dinner is set for Friday, March 7^th from 5:30 to 7p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church located at 801 Jackson Street.

Along with the 12-hour run, there will be a 50-mile race for those interested in running for a set distance as opposed to a set time. Walkers are also welcome to compete. Each participant will receive a personalized plaque, a race t-shirt, and other race goodies. In the 12-Hour Run, awards will be given based on highest mileage to the top 3 places overall, masters winner, and grandmasters winner for both genders. Relay awards based on mileage will be given to the top team. In the 50-mile, awards based on time will be presented to the first male and female individuals. The number of entries will be limited to 200 total including relay teams.

The race began in 2007 with just 27 runners. Unfavorable weather conditions, from thunderstorms and hail to snow and ice, have not slowed the pace. Last year the event attracted 139 runners from across the United States.

Delano Park is located at 825 Gordon Drive Southeast in Decatur. Net proceeds from the race benefit the Centers for Developmentally Disabled - North Central Alabama. For more information, visit, www.ultrasignup.com,  www.facebook.com/delano12, or call/email Jon Elmore at 256.351.7426 or jklca5@att.net

West Morgan Lady Rebels to Host Soccer Tournament at Jack Allen Recreation Complex March 7-8

The River City Shoot-Out returns to the Jack Allen Recreation Complex in Decatur March 7-8, 2014. Hosted by the West Morgan Lady Rebels, the competitive high school varsity girls soccer tournament made its debut in 2013 with eight area high school teams competing.

Sanctioned by the Alabama High School Athletic Association, the River City Shoot-out will use a pool play format. After the success of the inaugural tournament in 2013, eight teams are registered to compete in this year’s tournament. Registration is closed and teams to compete include defending champion Sparkman High, Grissom High, Lee High, Madison County High, Arab High, East Limestone High, Florence High, and Mars Hill High. Tournament hours are 4 to 9 p.m. on March 7^th and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on March 8^th. Admission is $10 per day per person or $15 per person for a weekend pass.

The idea for the tournament began with conversations between West Morgan High School girls soccer coach Brandon Rice and Jack Allen Recreation Complex Manager David Wisdom. Eight high school girls soccer teams participated in the first tournament held in 2013. Sparkman High School defeated Fort Payne High 3 to 0 in the championship game.

For more information on the River City Shoot-out, contact Event Organizer Brandon Rice at 256.476.0564 or FBRice@morgank12.org. 

The Jack Allen Recreation Complex contains 10 international size lighted fields with laser-graded certified sports turf and a computerized irrigation system. With the additional fields located in Point Mallard Park, the city of Decatur has quickly become known nationally as a top rated soccer tournament venue. For more information on the Jack Allen Recreation Complex, visit www.decatursports.com. 

Women's soccer team from Ghana to make second appearance at JARC

     The Jack Allen Recreation Complex (JARC) will once again become training grounds for the Black Maidens, a U17 soccer team from the West African country of Ghana.  The West African national team will travel over 6,500 miles to practice at the JARC in preparation for the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup.

    The team is scheduled to arrive on February 27 and in addition to practice times, there will be exhibition matches against collegiate teams.  Practices and exhibition games are open to the public but no cheering is allowed during practice times while athletes meet stringent guidelines in preparation for the World Cup.  A tentative schedule of events include training on February 28, March 3, 4, 6, 8.  The team will play an  exhibition match against UAH in Huntville on March 2, travel to the University of Alabama on March 4, visit the squad at the University of Memphis on March 6, and close out their training with a match against the U17 Woodbridge Soccer Club from Canada on Sunday, March 9 at 3:00 p.m. at Jack Allen Recreation Complex. 

     The Black Maidens made their first appearance in 2010 for a 19-day visit that included training, exhibition matches, and visits to local attractions and eateries.  The visit produced an economic impact of nearly $168K for the city of Decatur and Morgan County.

Ingalls Harbor Reels in 19 Fishing Tournament in 2014

For years, locals have known Wheeler Lake as a hot spot for all kinds of fishing- catfish, bass, crappie and more. With the addition of Ingalls Harbor, weekend competitive anglers and pro anglers are also experiencing the fishing mecca of Wheeler Lake and Decatur and Morgan County are benefiting from the revenue generated from hosting multi-day tournaments.  

 “Fishing tournaments will be an integral part of the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors’ efforts in 2014,” said President and CEO Melinda Dunn. “Nineteen tournaments are lined up bringing in thousands of anglers to test their skills on Wheeler Lake.” Beginning in March, tournaments will take place each month through November, and often anglers will visit months before a tournament or in the days leading up to the tournament to scout a location. 

Tournament organizer Myles Reed is bringing six amateur tournaments to Ingalls Harbor. A division of Heartland Angers, the Myles Reed Fishing Tournament, kicks off March 1, 2014 with tournaments also set for April 5, May 24, June 28, July 5, and August 2. A week later, the Xtreme Bass Series returns to Ingalls Harbor on March 9, with tournaments also set for August 10 and September 7.

The Hooked on Decatur Bass Team Tournament returns for the third year on March 29. Proceeds from the one-day tournament benefit the Wounded Warrior Project. The tournament is open to all anglers who possess a current Alabama State Freshwater Fishing License, and as a special thank you to veterans, a boat captain and entry fee will be provided for any wounded veteran that would like to fish in the tournament.

The sixth annual FCA Bass Anglers Classic, a fundraiser for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, is set for April 26^th, and the following weekend, Ingalls Harbor welcomes the fifth annual Homeland Security Bass Tournament. The no-entry fee tournament is open to first responders, active military personnel, police officers, firefighters, reservists, and members of the National Guard.

The second Saturday in May, anglers are invited to come out and fish for a cure. The third annual City of Athens Relay for Life Bass Fishing Tournament is set for May 10 at Ingalls Harbor.

The American Bass Anglers, who conducts the largest and most prestigious tournament trail for weekend anglers, is bringing its Weekend Bass Series to the River City on May 17, the American Couples Series on July 12, and the Ray Scott Championship, formerly known as the Weekend Bass Series Championship on November 12-15.

The Alabama Bass Trail is bringing its new tournament series for amateur anglers to Wheeler Lake May 30-31. Registration is already closed with four hundred anglers registered to compete.

The Alabama B.A.S.S. Federation Nation is bringing a qualifying tournament to Wheeler Lake on June 7. The tournament is expected to draw 200 anglers from across Alabama. The Alabama Bass Federation Inc. is one of the fifty-one states and international federations that make up the amateur arm of The Bass Federation Inc. Alabama is one of the largest state federations with over 1,300 members in clubs across the state. The Alabama Bass Federation Inc. Tournament Trail is the only way an amateur fisherman can compete against the top professional fishermen in the most prestigious FLW Championships Tournament Trail.

Offering affordable bass fishing tournaments for the weekend angler with both adult and junior angler categories, the Alabama North District of the National Bass Fishing Trail will be at Ingalls Harbor November 1-2.

     

“Competitive weekend anglers travel with family members during these multi-day tournaments where they are found shopping in local establishments and convenience stores, dining in our restaurants, and overnighting in our hotels, motels, and campgrounds,” added Dunn. “The revenue generated from anglers visiting to scout a location and during tournaments is a welcome boost to our local economy.”  

Ingalls Harbor Pavilion, located at 802-A Wilson Street NW in Decatur, will host the above-mentioned take-offs and weigh-ins. Take-offs and weigh-ins are free and open to the public.

For more information on fishing tournaments on Wheeler Lake, contact Melinda Dunn at 800.524.6181 or 256.350.2028.

Shorter University to Bring Its Alabama Arctic Blast to Wilson Morgan Softball Complex- February 20-22

Ten collegiate softball teams from as far away as Missouri will travel to Decatur to compete in the 2014 Alabama Arctic Blast hosted by Shorter University. The three-day tournament is set for February 20-22, 2014 at the Wilson Morgan Softball Complex in Decatur.

Teams competing in the 2014 Alabama Arctic Blast include Tennessee Wesleyan College, Lindsey Wilson College (Ky.), Campbellsville University (Ky.), Bellhaven University (Miss.), Auburn of Montgomery University (Ala.), Freed Hardeman University (Tenn.), Point University (Ga.), Martin Methodist College (Tenn.), Reinhardt College (Ga.), and William Woods University (Mo.). Games get underway at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 20^th. The following day, games are scheduled at 2 p.m., 4p.m., 6 p.m., and 7 p.m. and on Saturday, February 22, games will be played at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., and 3 p.m. Admission for spectators is $10 per day ($5/day student) or a weekend tournament pass will be available for $20 per person.

From 2008 to 2011, the invitational was held on Shorter University’s home field, Alto Park Softball Complex located in West Rome. In 2011, organizers announced the relocation of the event from Rome to Wilson Morgan Park to accommodate and allow for its continued growth. In 2012, the tournament made its first appearance in Decatur and attracted 14 teams from six states. Wilson Morgan Softball Complex will serve as host venue through 2016.

Wilson Morgan Softball Complex features six lighted fields, centrally located concessions, quad, press box, batting cages, and complete Wi-Fi access enabling live video and statistical streaming on all fields. Each field has a clay infield and beautiful grass, maintained by electronically controlled underground irrigation systems. The facility can seat over 2,000 spectators with additional seating available. For more information on Wilson Morgan Softball Complex, visit www.decaturparks.com.

For more information on the Alabama Arctic Blast, contact David Wisdom at 256.341.4831.

Shorter University is a liberal arts Southern Baptist-affiliated University located in Rome, Georgia. For more information, visit www.goshorterhawks.com.