For the 12^th consecutive year, The 200 Club of the Coastal Empire is adding a special element to Savannah’s 2017 Memorial Day celebration. During a weekend traditionally affiliated with barbecues, beach trips and three-day getaways, local residents will once again have the chance to sneak in a little more fun and fitness in the name of charity to care for those who care for us.

The Two Hundred Club, a Savannah-based nonprofit organization, has scheduled the Savannah Mile for 8 a.m. Saturday, May 27 in the historic downtown district. The course, which begins at the south end of Forsyth Park, will take participants down Drayton Street and finish up on Broughton Street. The Savannah Mile is a sanctioned race in the USA.

Registration is $20 through May 25^th, and $25 on May 26^th and race day. All proceeds will go to assist The 200 Club fulfill its mission to assist families of first responders who die or suffer critical injuries in the line of duty. Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Savannah donors, registration is free to all first responders and military participants. To register, please visit http://twohundredclub.org/11th-annual-savannah-mile-registration/.

Runners and walkers of all fitness levels are invited to participate in the unique event, which will feature heats for all ages and abilities, including a family division, age group divisions, the “Heroes Heat” to be run by first responders and military in full gear or not, and the Memory Walk for the families of our fallen heroes to walk the mile in memory of their loved one. The races will once again conclude with an awards party in Johnson Square, where attendees will enjoy hot dogs and hamburgers, from Savannah Lodging, Coca-Cola beverages, Leopold’s Ice Cream and N’Laws refreshing watermelon and bananas. There will be a memorial display of fallen first responders and the opportunity to join The Two Hundred Club of the Coastal Empire to support their mission of helping the families of those who care for us by putting their lives and safety on the line every day.

“In past years, this has always been an enjoyable event for community members and families. The Savannah Mile allows all ability levels to participate – from the family fun run, which has runners, walkers, babies in stroller, toddlers walking, dogs, and even wheelchair participants to the heroes heat. Everyone is there to help raise money for a very worthy cause,” said Mark Dana, President of The 200 Club. “All of the money raised goes to assist the families of fallen and critically injured first responders.”