On Your Mark... Firefly Plans Twilight Descent on City

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by Ruth Ingram
Reprinted with permission from The Clinton News

April 12, 2007 - The Brick Street Firefly 5K's got a new mascot.

No, the race is not forsaking its glow-in-the-dark firefly that graced the 2006 race T-shirts.

Instead, the April 27 race is adding a headliner who's been a shining light for Clinton: Longtime volunteer and Lions Club member Frank Murray.

Renamed the Frank Murray Brick Street Firefly 5K, the Mississippi Track Club-sanctioned race will once again kick off as twilight descends on the city.

Baptist Healthplex program manager Jan Cossitt plans for Murray, who is battling cancer, to be at the starting line to cheer on up to 500 expected runners. "We want Frank to meet and greet everyone," she said.

Murray said he hopes to be there. "I think it's wonderful," he said, of the race being named in his honor. "This race will go on with my name for several years."

"If you've never run in this race, this year is a good time to start," said Cossitt. "We are honoring Frank Murray with the Firefly, and we hope for an even bigger turnout than last year."

Race proceeds go to a cause dear to Murray's heart. He has decided to donate $40,000 toward construction of a guest room at the new Baptist Cancer Lodge, to be housed in a building behind medical offices on State Street in Jackson.

The cost of constructing a guest room at the Lodge is about $50,000. Families and patients will be able to stay at the lodge during treatment at Baptist Health System's Hederman Cancer Center, much like families of patients at UMC can stay in the nearby Ronald McDonald House.

"We want to raise that extra $10,000 to dedicate this guest room to Frank," Cossitt said. "We want to do this quickly, but for the next two years, we are dedicating our charitable fundraising activities at the Healthplex toward meeting this goal."

Murray is coping with his cancer one day at a time. "I'm fighting it," he said. "Things are looking better."

Sponsors making the race possible include the Healthplex, Trustmark Bank, Entergy Mississippi and Fleet Feet, Cossitt said. "That's where I get my athletic shoes," Murray said, of Fleet Feet.

The night will be special for a number of reasons, Cossitt said. Like at last year's race, the first 300 to register will receive a blinking body light so that they can glow like a firefly. Race T-shirts this year will be a breathable fabric preferred by many runners, she said. Events include a 5K run, 5K walk and a one-mile fun run for ages 12 and younger.

Registration for 5K events is $15 before 5 p.m. April 26 and $20 on race day. Registration for the one-mile run is $12 in advance or $15 on race day. Awards will be given in categories including winners in overall, masters and grand masters in the 5K events, plus first-, second- and third-place awards in standard age categories. In the one-mile run, there will be overall winners, plus first-, second- and third-place awards in standard age categories. Registration forms are available at the Baptist Healthplex. For information, call the Healthplex at (601) 925-7900.

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