First Bank recently announced the recipients of their annual First Bank Fall Run scholarships. Each year two senior high school students are selected to receive a $1000 scholarship based upon their exceptional academic achievement, involvement in school running sports, and participation in the race.
Michael Jorgensen of James River High School has taken part in the run since first grade, placing 3rd in the men’s 5K in 2022. Michael placed 5th in regional cross country in 2022, 3rd in the regional 3200m outdoor track and 7th in state the same year. In 2023 he placed 1st in regional cross country and placed 7th in state. During high school, he was a member of the cross country and indoor and outdoor track teams, actively involved with golf, wrestling and cheerleading activities for James River high school. His leadership and community volunteer activities are numerous, including designing and building the LOVE sign for display in honor of veterans at the New Freedom Farm in Buchanan,. Michael highlights his plans for running after high school, “Running helps me to process things going on in my life. It gives me a chance to clear my head and focus on the run, my breath, and being outside.” Michael has been accepted into the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at VMI. He is in communication with the head coach of the VMI cross country team to possibly run as a first year VMI student.
Lord Botetourt graduate Tymothy Fitzgerald has participated in the First Bank Fall Run since 2018. While in high school he was involved in the 100m, 200m, long jump, wrestling and earned a varsity letter in 2020 for track. He is a member of FOR Club, Botetourt Buddies, Coding Club, BTEC and is an A/B Honor Roll student. His community and volunteer activities are many. “Running has always been a way for me to release. Stress is one of the biggest killers for someone. When I run and work myself, I release that stress and emotion into something better and better myself for the greater good,” said Tymothy. He plans to attend Randolph College in the fall and continue running track as well.
Register Now for First Bank Fall 5K and 10K
First Bank and The Botetourt Rotary Club are now accepting registrations for the 37th annual Fall Run to be held on Saturday, October 21. The race, featuring 5K and 10K events, winds through the Town of Fincastle. “Hosting the largest event held in the Town of Fincastle each year takes a great amount of teamwork among the community,” said Dr. Angie Anderson, Botetourt Rotary member and Race Coordinator.
“The race would not be possible without First Bank, Rotary Club members, Botetourt County Schools, our volunteers and the race participants. We want to thank the Town of Fincastle, Botetourt County and our first responders who help make this event a success.”
Online registration is available through RunSignUp.com. Everyone who registers by the October 7 early registration is guaranteed a long sleeve shirt featuring a new design each year. The cost to enter is just $15 for students age 17 and under and $30 for adults 18 and older who register prior to October 7. After October 7, all registrations are $35.
Photos courtesy of Botetourt Rotary Club
The First Bank Fall Run begins at 9 a.m. at Central Academy Middle School each year and extends through the Town of Fincastle and ends back at Central Academy for an awards ceremony and refreshments. Custom medals and trophies are also presented to the top individual, first, second and third place runners in adult and youth age groups, as well as runners who compete as elementary, middle school, high school and open teams. “We always look forward to the excitement among all the runners, but especially the elementary school teams who compete for trophies for their school,” said Todd Ross, market president for First Bank.
First Bank presents $2,000 in scholarships each year to students from James River and Lord Botetourt who have participated in a previous Fall Run. The 2023 recipients were Michael Jorgenson of James River High School and Tymothy Fitzgerald from Lord Botetourt.
The First Bank Fall Run Art Contest winner in 2023 was a very talented 8th grade graduate from Read Mountain Middle School, Krish Patel. His artwork will be positioned on the shirts for the race and will be available to all registered participants. Krish was presented a $200 check at the Spring Awards Ceremony.
Botetourt County Rotary Club announces 2023 race shirt sponsorship form
The Botetourt County Rotary Club race committee is working hard to have yet again another successful race on October 21. This event marks the 37th annual Fall Run community project sponsored by First Bank, Botetourt Rotary Club, and Botetourt County Public Schools.
The committee is currently in the process of designing this year’s shirt and looking for community sponsors to be listed on the back of the shirt. This year the sponsors will be listed on the back of over 550 race shirts.
“We are maintaining our sponsor levels and prices for this year so please consider supporting this significant community event,” co-chair of the event’s marketing and publishing Kira Gurevich in a recent news release. “We are proud to say that funds raised by service projects such as this race are supporting local projects in Botetourt County and surrounding areas. Most recently, this race supported two local seniors with $1,000 each to assist with a college education. We could not continue to support our community like we do without your support.”
SPONSOR LEVELS AND PRICES
3×3 (approx) logo size $500
2×2 (approx) logo size $250
Company name listed $100
If interested in being a race shirt sponsor, complete the form and return to Botetourt Rotary Club P.O. Box 801, Daleville, 24083 – ATTN: Fall Run with a check for the applicable amount made payable to Botetourt Rotary Club by June 30, 2023.
Register for the race online at https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Fincastle/FirstBankFallRun.
For additional information about the First Bank Fall Run, please email us at 5k10krun@fbvirginia.com or visit us on Facebook at Botetourt County Rotary Club.
~ Botetourt County Rotary Club