CRESTVIEW — Following a flurry of requests for street closures to accommodate 5-kilometer runs and walks, Mayor David Cadle is forming a task force to consider defining a fixed course for future such races.
"In the last year my office has been overrun with requests for street closures for 5K runs," Cadle said. "Main Street is getting closed more and more for these types of things.
"It would be really helpful if we had one route that created as little disruption as possible."
Speaking at Monday evening's City Council meeting, Cadle said it is his goal to work with the various affected city departments, including the Police Department and Growth Management, to try to define a set course.
"We'd like to see if a route could be worked out that won't affect merchants," Cadle said. "It's very important that we follow this process. My office has the liability every time a street is closed."
RECENT REQUEST
The most recent street closure request for a 5-K run/walk came during the Monday meeting from Carita Smith, recruitment coordinator for Guardians ad Litem.
The program requested to close streets both within the city and in Okaloosa County's jurisdiction for an Oct. 22 run/walk benefiting the program's nearly 300 children.
The event would be a fundraiser to pay for expenses not covered by the state's Guardian ad Litem and support agencies' expenditures, including membership fees in sports teams, equipment fees, or similar recreational costs.
"The money is completely channeled back into the children," Smith said. "The agencies that take care of these children can't provide all their needs."
The council requested further information from Smith before considering her request. Meanwhile, Cadle said, he will pursue creating a set 5-kilometer-long route for future events.
"This process is very important," Cadle said. "It's important that we provide safety to the people in the run as well as to the general public."
Cadle did not indicate what part of the city the proposed route would be in.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Mayor: Crestview should consider fixed 5K run route