
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, October 26, 1995                   TAG: 9510270026
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: E-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: STEWART MACiNNIS SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

WASENA RUNS FOR FUN SATURDAY

Wasena is a vibrant and enjoyable community - not a crime-ridden neighborhood where residents are frightened by free-wheeling drug dealers. That's the message organizers of a benefit 5K race and a one-mile fun run want to convey this weekend.

"We all know what a great place this is," said Chris Miller, organizer of the race for the Wasena Neighborhood Forum. "We've all worked real hard to make Wasena a good place to live, and we want the rest of the city to see it."

Though a foot race is a pretty tame event, Miller said it is one of the steps the neighborhood forum is taking to become more visible. It is, he said, an attempt to counter recent publicity about crime and drugs that has marred the neighborhood's reputation.

The one-mile fun run starts at 8:30 a.m. Saturday; the 5K race starts at 9 a.m. Both will start at the old Transportation Museum building in Wasena Park. Registration is $2 for the fun run and $15 for the race, with registration required before 8:30 a.m. Saturday.

"I think its going to be a real good Halloween run," Miller said. "We're letting people run in costumes if they want. It's a way to get the kids involved."

Miller has been working on the race since the first of the year. An avid runner and a member a local running club, Miller said he has tried to draw on the good points of races he's participated in to "make this something everyone will want to come back to again next year."

Proceeds from the race will be used to fund other programs for the forum, including contributions to local charities.

The Wasena Neighborhood Forum, formed in 1987, has been largely involved in beautification projects and efforts to promote a feeling of community among residents of the neighborhood.

"It's never been a great big organization, and it never had a lot of money to do things with," Miller said. "Now, with the publicity of the past year and the problems we've had, we want the whole community to know that Wasena is a good neighborhood to live in and a good place to raise a family."

The forum isn't limiting itself to self-promotion, though. Miller said the group is actively involved in crime prevention efforts. "One of our big things is letting people know to keep an eye out and how to go about reporting a crime or anything suspicious," he said. "It's just another way of being a good neighbor."

Miller said he was especially pleased with support for the race provided by local companies and the help offered by individuals.

"Everyone has been very enthusiastic," Miller said. "Everyone has been asking how they can help. With everything that has gone into getting ready, I think this is going to be a special race here in the Valley."

by CNB