Midtown Village Fun Run will benefit for Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Alabama

Midtown Village will host its first 2-mile "fun run" race beginning at 7 a.m. Aug. 24, as a benefit event for Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Alabama.

The event is part of Midtown's ongoing community engagement initiatives, with the goal of seeing the shopping center, built around a broad green space, as an event destination.

Midtown events such as the Harvest Jam (a benefit for Child Abuse Prevention Services), nighttime outdoor movie showings, Puppy Palooza, the All Is Bright holiday night, and others, have multiplied since the center, opened at the intersection of McFarland Boulevard and 15th Street, opened in 2007, was purchased by Crawford Square in late 2021.

All ages and fitness levels can run, jog or walk around the outdoor center for the event. It'll start with registration at 6 a.m. that Saturday, Aug. 24, at the main entrance off McFarland Boulevard. All registered participants will receive a commemorative T-shirt and participation medal.

Proceeds will directly benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Alabama, supporting the mission to build and support one-to-one relationships, seeking to create best-possible futures for local youth. Big Brothers Big Sisters matches adult volunteers with children in need of positive role models.

"We are excited to host this Fun Run and support the incredible work done by Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Alabama. This event is a great opportunity for the community to come together, stay active, and contribute to a worthy cause," said Hollyann Bemis, Midtown marketing associate, in a written release.

Midtown holds more than 40 retailers such as Ulta, Lululemon, Barnes and Noble, Best Buy, Panera, Metro Diner, Fabrik, South Boutique, Old Navy, Buffalo’s Café, Planet Fitness and more.

Participants can register online at the Midtown Village website, or in-person at the registration desk on the day of the event. Early registration is encouraged to guarantee a spot and secure a T-shirt. For more, email [email protected].

Reach Mark Hughes Cobb at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Registration opens for fun run to benefit Big Brothers, Big Sisters