Keeping the Avondale 5K in Place

Supporters of the Avondale 5K have begun a petition drive to block the City of Charleston from moving its route through several West Ashley neighborhoods to the nearby West Ashley Greenway.
Over the past six Octobers, the race has raised over $350,000 for the Charles Webb Center, which provides developmental daycare for special needs children aged six weeks to 10 years old.
A morning race, it’s overseen by the Disabilities Board of Charleston County, an offshoot of a state agency. The race is staffed by volunteers and off-duty policemen, who are hired for additional safety.
Streets are “minimally” closed, and the event ends at Triangle Char & Bar Restaurant, whose owners have been longtime supporters of special needs citizens, according to its organizers and observers.
City Hall has expressed concern that the race would be safer if it was held on the Greenway, or in a local park, and has asked the organizers to move it.
Rick Magner, the agency’s executive director, said “the fact that the race ends at the restaurant is a big part of its success, and it has turned into a community event.”
In past years, several residents living along the route have set up unofficial aid stations, replete with drinks and snacks, and cheering sections for the runners, walkers, strollers, and dogs streaming by.
“I believe the race will not be as successful” away from its current setting, said Magner, who added that “every dime” raised from the event goes to the Charles Webb Center, with no proceeds set aside for the event or its organizers.
As of this weekend, over 500 people had signed the petition, which is available at www.ipetitions.com/petition/avondale-5k.