Governor’s Cup seeks Spirit Corps participants

COLUMBIA, SC – Community and musical groups are encouraged to apply for Spirit Corps spots in the 42^nd annual Governor’s Cup Road Race.

“The Governor’s Cup Road Race, sponsored by Lexington Medical Center, is one of the oldest, continuously conducted road race events in the Southeast,” said Rick Noble, associate race director. “To encourage the runners, Spirit Corps groups may display signs, do acrobatics, or perform cheers or music to generate spectator enthusiasm at assigned “spirit spots” along the course.”

Noble encourages groups such as high school bands, musical groups, cheerleaders, drumming groups, dancers and performing arts groups to apply, however, he said neighborhood, church, youth, civic and business groups that have the spirit and enthusiasm to make a lot of noise are also eligible as well. In order to be assigned a Spirit Spot along the route, groups should preferably consist of 8-10 members, although groups of other sizes will be considered.

The 2014 races will take place on Saturday, Nov. 8, and feature a half-marathon, an eight-kilometer, and kids’ cup races, as well as a three-mile walk. The main course begins at the State House and winds throughout Columbia’s neighborhoods before finishing near USC’s Horseshoe.

Noble said the honorariums and prize packages would be distributed as follows:

• Spirit Corps groups will receive a performance honorarium of $250;
• Each official Spirit Corps group is eligible to participate in the Spirit Corps’ ‘Catch the Spirit!’ contest which awards additional monetary prizes of up to $350 for first place, $250 for second place, and $150 for third place;
• Judging is based upon enthusiasm, participation social media followers/fans/likes;
• The winning Spirit Corps group will be recognized through media sponsors.
• A “People’s Choice” award of $250 has been added for 2014.

Applications must be received no later than Oct. 8, 2014.

For information about the race: http://www.carolinamarathon.org/Governors_Cup/default.html. For information and applications for Spirit Corps spots, go to: http://www.carolinamarathon.org/Governors_Cup/spiritcorps.html.