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For two decades, the LaGrange community has come out to support the Leggin’ it for Literacy 5k that benefits the Troup County Certified Literate Community Program. 

This year, runners, walkers and families will have that chance again to participate in the 5k and fun run, but this year in a glowing fashion. 

“We want people to come out in their glowing finest for the run,” said race chair April Pennington. 

This year’s 5k and fun run will return on March 21 at The Thread at Granger Park with registration beginning at 6 p.m. 

“The Troup CLCP is a program in town that promotes literacy and sponsors GED scholarship to West Georgia Tech, gives dictionaries to all third graders and several other literacy related activities throughout the community,” Pennington said. 

“We’ve had it in the morning, we’ve had it at night and we’ve done at different times of the year but it is basically just to get people out and get people talking about reading.”

Since 2001 the event has been held rain or shine and Pennington said they plan to do the same this year. 

All net proceeds from the race will go directly to the Troup County CLCP which will help the organization promote a love of reading, lifelong learning and programs for basic adult education. 

The tot trot, which is for children ages eight and under will kick off at 6:45 p.m., the one mile will begin at 7:30 p.m. and the 5k will start at 7:30 p.m.

“Besides the glow aspect, it is always fun because you get a t-shirt,” Pennington said. “The t-shirt itself promotes our sponsors, but it also something you can take away and wear. It’s always really cool finding a t-shirt from an old race or seeing them around town. I’ve run into people wearing past years leggin’ it t-shirts and it’s always an ‘oh yay’ moment because I remember that.”

Pennington said that she has been a part of the run for many years and that she loves watching the community come out and support. 

This year 5k course will go through The Thread at Granger Park, up Broad Street toward LaGrange College, down the flower streets and back to Granger. 

“It’s going to be a nice kind of straight route around The Thread and using most of The Thread,” Pennington said. “It’s cool because you get to circle the lake [at Granger] twice, and the lake is probably the prettiest part.” 

For the 5k and one mile, early registration is $25 and includes an adult size shirt. After Friday March 13, the cost will go up to $30. The tot trot is free, but three new or gently used books is required for a child to participate in the games. 

The Big Shoe Award goes to the school or group with the most participants. Pre-register online at leggingitforliteracy5k.itsyourrace.com. All runners will receive a Country’s BBQ sandwhich and iced tea.

“We just ask that the community comes out and supports us,” Pennington said. “We would love to see everyone there.”