CUMBERLAND – There have been quite a few races held on High Bridge Trail State Park since its limestone trail began slowly inching its way towards High Bridge four years ago. However, an upcoming race holds the unique distinction of being the first to include running across the newly completed High Bridge portion of the trail as part of its course.

During the 5K Run For Scholarships on March 16, runners (and walkers) will begin near the park's River Road entrance and run across the bridge before turning around to complete the race.

Proceeds from the 5K race will go towards the Cumberland County Public School Foundations' scholarship fund, which benefits graduates of Cumberland High School.

This is the first year the foundation has held a 5K race. Linda Lineweaver, a foundation board member and co-coordinator for the run, says the foundation also hopes to involve more of the community and students in the area. She was especially thankful to Centra Southside Community Hospital for its willingness to be the run's title sponsor.

The foundation has provided over $170,000 in student scholarships since its inception in 2001, says Lineweaver.

Scholarships are awarded to Cumberland High School graduating seniors, former graduates and even GED students, according to Lineweaver. Those who graduated a while ago and are now pursuing licensure or certification are also able to apply, Lineweaver says, so it benefits “that lifelong learning experience.”

Students have received funding to attend such schools as Howard University, Drexel University, Radford University, John Tyler Community College, Southside Virginia Community College, Longwood University and Hampden-Sydney College.

Over $88,000 in teacher grants have also been awarded by the foundation as well, allowing teachers in the Cumberland Public Schools to receive grants for learning aids that aren't funded in the budget, such as a blood pressure simulator and Automated External Defibrillator for the nursing class, electronic microscopes for the high school, wrist heart rate monitors for the elementary school and an iPad cart for the middle school, according to Lineweaver.

Although this is the first time for the event, Lineweaver is optimistic about the response it has already received and hopes it will become an annual event.

The race will be timed and scored by Riverside Runners. Registration costs $25 before the race or $30 on race day for adults. Students, children under 12 and walkers only pay $15 by pre-registering or $25 on the day of the race.

Because parking at the River Road entrance to the trail is limited, participants can also ride a shuttle to the race from the Farmville municipal lot behind the courthouse at 124 N. South Street. Shuttles will be running from 7:45 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from the conclusion of the race until 2 p.m.

Registration will begin at 8 a.m., with the run commencing an hour later at 9 a.m.

Those interested in participating may register online at www.riversiderunners.com or by picking up a paper form from the Southside Virginia YMCA, Cumberland County School Board office or Riverside Runners in Lynchburg.

For more information, contact Linda Lineweaver at brandyknoll@verizon.net.