Mark Forester Price of Freedom events set for Saturday, May 18

HALEYVILLE - The 9th annual Mark Forester Price of Freedom Race and Memorial Birthday Walk  will be Saturday, May 18, 2019.
The route  for the walk will begin and end at Haleyville High School.  
The address is:
Haleyville High School
2001 20th Street
Haleyville, AL 35565
The 28-mile walk will begin at 6 a.m. and take approximately 10-and-a-half hours. There will be staging areas every five to eight miles with water.
This walk is about remembering the fallen hero  on his birthday. Anyone is welcome who wants to participate. The entry fee is $40 and supports The Mark Forester Foundation. The same baton will be carried  as in previous years.
The following are some suggestions and information needed for the events.
The half marathon/ 10k/ 5k/fun run races take place this day too. The first race begins at 8 a.m. You CAN’T participate in the walk and the run. They are completely separate events.
Parking for the walk will be at the Haleyville High School main lot near the electronic sign.
If you plan to participate, please register online so adequate preparations can be made. Register at Active.com.
The walk begins at 6 a.m., at electronic sign at Haleyville High School. Please be there early to get your t-shirt.
There will be staging areas every 5-8 miles to eat a snack, drink, change socks, etc. Stops are anticipated at the staging areas to be quick as possible–10-15 minutes.
There will be a police escort. If anyone gets too far behind the group, they will need to be picked up by the trailing car and taken to the next staging area. If the group gets too spread out, the police are concerned about safety.
Please bring socks to change at every staging area.
If you have valuables and don’t know where to keep them, you can put them in the trailing car, which will follow the group the entire walk.
You need to bring your own blister kit and first aid kit. Also, if you want power/energy bars, you will need to bring your own. Water, Gatorade, some fruit, and lunch will be provided.
The weather this time of year can be very comfortable or hot, so be prepared for some heat and humidity
If you will be visiting Haleyville for the first time, please go to the Haleyville Area Chamber of Commerce website about local information.
For all military participating in the walk or race: you have a place to stay at the city storm shelter, just like the last few years. However, if there is severe weather, it has to be opened to the public. If it gets too full (because space is limited), the Joint Armed Forces Reserve Center will be opened too.
Hotel options for the area:
1. The Fuller House Bed & Breakfast. Has four rooms, multiple beds. Phone: 205-269-7590. Address: 3315 Newburg Road, Haleyville. Fills up fast.
2. Imperial Inn (formerly Windwood Inn) – Haleyville. This is an old hotel right in town. Phone: 205-486-5205.
3. Hampton Inn – Winfield (27 miles away). Phone: 205-487-1270.
4. Best Western – Russellville (27 miles away). Many of Mark’s teammates have stayed here for previous events. Phone: 256-332-1002.
5. Hampton Inn – Jasper (40 miles away). May be best for those coming from the south (if you don’t stay in Haleyville). Phone: 205-221-3334.
6. Holiday Inn – Guin (25 miles away). They are offering a discount to race and walk participants–just tell them you’re there for Mark Forester events. Phone: 205-468-4625. FYI Savanna Myers is the sales coordinator who wants to offer the discount.
Registration begins at 7 a.m., with the opening ceremonies will beginning at 8 a.m. A half-marathon will start at 8:30 a.m. at HHS rain or shine. The 10k/ 5k/ 1 mile race times will follow. Events will begin and end at the Haleyville High School football stadium.
Active military can race in any or multiple races for $20. See this option when registering online.
The purpose of this race is to celebrate Mark’s life and to raise money for The Mark Forester Foundation. SrA. Forester was killed on Sept. 29, 2010, in Afghanistan while attempting to save a fallen comrade.
The Mark Forester Foundation has been established to honor Forester, and to provide a venue for the generosity of family, friends and acquaintances of Mark that will benefit others. The foundation is a tax-exempt, non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization.
It is the desire of Mark’s family that his example be preserved and shared with the world.
“First and foremost, we do this by providing a college scholarship to at least one Haleyville High School student each year,” noted the family. “The City of Haleyville and the school system have been very supportive to our family since Mark’s death, and we want to give back to our home town.
“We also want students to understand that freedom does not come without a price. We take awarding the scholarships very seriously. Scholarships will be awarded to  deserving student(s) who exemplifies the same character traits and patriotism that were the basis of Mark’s life. The foundation will allow these and other goals to be accomplished.”

A spaghetti supper will be held Friday, May 17, at the Haleyville Middle School cafeteria for event participants and supporters.