Lickety Split race makes fruitful return May 2

Apr. 16—What if the reward for exercise was getting ice cream at the end? Maybe more people would try it.

That theory will be put to the test, as Thursday, May 2 will see the return of United Way of South Central Kentucky's (UWSCKY) Lickety Split run.

It's billed as the shortest footrace in Kentucky in that it is a competition that lasts roughly 350 yards — maybe not long enough to burn all the calories participants will consume when they receive their banana split treats at the end, courtesy of Dairy Queen.

But, as UWSCKY Executive Director Crystal Cox explains, "Calories for charity don't count."

The race will take place, as in years past, roughly from the Fountain Square in downtown Somerset to the Lake Cumberland Farmer's Market at the Citizens National Bank Pavilion.

More precisely, Cox said the race starts at the crosswalk between Citizens National Bank and the Law Office of Shawna VanHook on East Mt. Vernon, and ends at the crosswalk at the corner of East Mt. Vernon and College Street.

The deadline to register and receive a shirt is fast approaching. Cox said that all those who want a shirt must register by this Friday. "No shirts will be available after that," she said.

Registration with a shirt is $20. Without a shirt, registration is $15 until April 30, then $25 after that.

On the day of the race, registration and check in will take place near the flag poles on the Pulaski County Judicial Center Plaza.

Check-in begins at 4:30 p.m., and the race begins at 5:30 p.m.

The Lickety Split is a sprint rather than a marathon, and while there are some people who treat it seriously, most people show up to have a good time with their family and friends.

Cox said the most exciting part of holding the race is, to her, seeing the variety of people who turn out.

"So many of the other races in the community are somewhat competitive, so you have people who are really, truly athletes who train for those events," Cox said. "Ours is not so much like that. We do have some athletes who come up, and they just want to test and see how quickly they can run that short of a distance, but for the most part it's family. It's community members. We have everything from toddlers to a gentleman in his 90s."

She also points out that the course is open to people of all abilities. Runners, walkers, families with strollers or wagons, people who need walkers or wheelchairs — everyone can navigate the "course."

Cox also pointed out that the streets will be closed off to traffic for the event, thanks to the Somerset Police Department.

In years past, Lickety Split has made use of an official time keeping company, but Cox said that this year scheduling conflicts prevented that.

For this year's race, the organizers are going a little more old school — stretching a ribbon across the finish line.

Cox said the person to break the ribbon will be declared the winner. Prizes will be handed out for the first place finisher, the last place finisher (and volunteers will be on hand for as long as needed to ensure all participants finish the race safely), the largest team and the best costume.

"I would really love to see people dress up for the costume contest," Cox said. "I wear a banana costume every year, so if nothing else you can come out and see me dressed up as a banana."

Also unlike last year, the race has been moved up about a month.

"Last year we did it in June, because June is National Dairy Month, and we liked that tie-in with the ice cream," Cox said. "But a lot of people were on vacation, and a lot of churches had vacation bible school, so we are trying to find a time that won't conflict.

"With the stresses that come with the end of the school year, we thought this was a fun way to get out and relax a little bit," she continued. "It's a short event, so it's something they can do to get out in the evening and still be home for homework and all of the things families need to take care of."

The race will be held rain or shine — barring lightening or tornadoes or something of that nature, she said.

Once participants cross the finish line, they can enter the Farmers Market to receive their banana split treats.

As always, proceeds will go towards helping UWSCKY in funding various charitable causes and programs throughout the south central region.

"The money from this race goes to support the work that we do, and that work is evolving, as we as an organization evolve," Cox said. "Most people know your local United Way as a community chest organization, where we fundraise and we support other non-profits with those funds, and we still do that. This year we've committed over $45,000 of support to different agencies in our region.

"But on top of that, we also have our own programming now. We have our Real Men Read program, we have Women Empowering Young Leaders, and we are working toward a new regional coalition model where we will have five targeted coalitions to improve communities and families in our region. The money we raise from this and all of our events help those kind of activities ... We're also getting ready to do a fun event in McCreary County called Reading Under the Lights."

To register or find out more about the event, Cox said people should visit the UWSCKY Facebook page and look for the Lickety Split set up under "events" or find the most recent posts. Those posts will direct people to the registration site.

"If they have any trouble getting registered, they can call us here at the office, 606-679-2974 or email info@uwscky.org.

Along with Dairy Queen, SPD and the volunteers, Cox wanted to thank this year's sponsors, including race course sponsor Citizens National Bank; gold sponsors Dr. Angie Wilson of Henderson Chiropractic and the City of Somerset; and platinum sponsor TTAI.

Carla Slavey can be reached at cslavey@somerset-kentucky.com