Friendly wager turns into All-Class Reunion event

What started out as a friendly bet between brothers has blossomed into a full-blown community event.

The inaugural Tiger Trot, a 5K run and walk race scheduled to take place from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, is the brainchild of a group of Fort Scott High School alumni -- including brothers Chip and Andy Albright and their spouses -- who wanted to organize a special event for the FSHS All-Class Reunion this weekend and also give something back to their alma mater.

"I bet Chip I could beat him in a 5K race ... it's just brothers being brothers," Andy said. "My wife said let's take the pot and give it back to Fort Scott High School. It just kind of snowballed from there."

At the event, about 120 participants may walk or run the race, which starts at the home of the Albright brothers' parents, Ron and Barbara Albright, 634 Marblecrest Terr., follows routes through Gunn Park, and finishes back at the Albright's home. Participants pay a $20 entry fee and receive a commemorative T-shirt.

"A lot of people are running these 5Ks right now," Andy said. "We just want to give back to FSHS because it's been a good place for us."

The top male and female participant in the race will split the pot and may choose which activity or department at FSHS will receive their portion of the total winnings.

"That will be a good amount going to the high school," Barb Albright, member of the FSHS Class of 1968, said.

Other prizes will also be awarded following the race, including best couple's time and best costume. The race is limited to FSHS alumni and their spouses or significant others.

Local residents who are interested in participating in the race may still pre-register for the event, or register on the day of the race, however they will not receive a T-shirt as the deadline for ordering T-shirts has passed. Registration on the day of the race begins at 8 a.m., with the race starting at 9 a.m.

For more information on the event, contact Andy at (620) 423-0894, or by e-mail at albrighta@usd413.org.

Dacia (Foxx) Keller, Andy's sister-in-law, is also one of the organizers of the event. All of the organizers are graduates of FSHS. The official starter for the race is Tom Davis, member of the FSHS Class of 1966.