DeLand’s most unusual charity “run” is set to take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23.
“It’s a half-kilometer ‘race’ that takes place over four hours,” Rotary Club of Downtown DeLand President-elect Aaron Preston said.
The Rotary Club of Downtown DeLand (also known as the Dinner Rotary, or the Evening Rotary, to distinguish it from the two other Rotary Clubs active in DeLand) is holding a micro-marathon to benefit The Neighborhood Center, The Bridge, and Parachutes for Patriots, along with dozens of other groups the club supports throughout the year.
Participants face a grueling 1,600 feet to the finish line, located at Persimmon Hollow Brewery on Georgia Avenue. The race begins at Bank of America on Church Street in Downtown DeLand and lasts until 6 p.m., giving participants about four hours to go four blocks.
To prevent overheating and fatigue, four stops are planned at local drinkeries, and 10 motivation stations handing out free swag will be set up along the way.
“The point of the race isn’t really to win — it’s to finish,” Preston said.
Successfully completing the arduous trek brings you to an after-party on Georgia Avenue, where a free “I did it!” pin awaits, along with pulled-pork sliders and beer.
Tickets cost $40 in advance, or $45 day of, and are available for purchase at https://www.ddrotary.org/deland-05k-micro-marathon.php
“We’re hoping to bring in around $16,000 for local charities,” Preston said.
 is holding a micro-marathon to benefit The Neighborhood Center, The Bridge, and Parachutes for Patriots, along with dozens of other groups the club supports throughout the year. Participants face a grueling 1,600 feet to the finish line, located at Persimmon Hollow Brewery on Georgia Avenue. The race begins at Bank of America on Church Street in Downtown DeLand and lasts until 6 p.m., giving participants about four hours to go four blocks. ){kind=link}