The YMCA of Greater Birmingham to Host 31st Annual Noojin and White – Race To The Courthouse 5K
Second, only to Birmingham’s Vulcan Run, The Noojin & White – Race To The Courthouse is the 2nd oldest road race in the Birmingham community. The race route will begin at Railroad Park and end with an after-party at Good People Brewing Company, featuring live music from Legal Limit, food trucks, and kids’ activities. Festivities will run from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. The major sponsors for the event are Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton, LLP, and Lightfoot Franklin & White, LLC.
“This is the 31st year of our fun and competitive event,” said Sarah McMillian, Senior Program Director for the YMCA of Greater Birmingham Downtown Branch and race chairman. “It’s a great opportunity for community members to participate in raising money for the Y and honor two much-loved members of Birmingham’s law community. Many of the city’s law firms will even compete as teams and run as part of the ‘fastest firm’ competition,” she said. “And all of the money raised goes directly to the downtown YMCA and its scholarship programs providing health and wellness opportunities for the community.”
The race honors Ronnie Noojin, a founding member of the Noojin, Haley, and Ashford law firm and Jere White, a founding member of Lightfoot, Franklin & White, LLC, who both died after battling cancer. Both were prominent in the Birmingham law community and tremendous supporters of the downtown YMCA.
Ronnie Noojin served on the Alabama Trial Lawyers Association’s Board of Governors and on its Executive Committee. He was a member and President of the Birmingham Bar’s Executive Committee. Mr. Noojin died on June 17, 1996, after an eight-month battle with brain cancer.
Jere White is perhaps best known for his skills as a trial lawyer. For over 30 years, Jere handled significant civil cases of all types in state and federal courts in Alabama and throughout the United States, and he was one of the few lawyers in Alabama inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers, International Academy of Trial Lawyers, and the American Board of Trial Advocates.
What is less known about Jere was his tremendous support of the downtown YMCA. He was a regular lunchtime runner, a board member and chairman, and a generous benefactor to the YMCA for three decades. Jere was also the YMCA’s Volunteer of the Year — a real testament to his commitment to the YMCA and its mission of promoting health and wellness to the Birmingham community.
Proceeds from the race go directly to the 2018 YMCA of Greater Birmingham Annual Campaign. Every day, the YMCA of Greater Birmingham gives our community the support it needs to learn, grow and thrive. From preschool, out of school time, and STEM education to water safety and disease prevention, everything the Y does helps strengthen Birmingham neighborhoods and the people who live here.
But keeping greater Birmingham great is a full-time job. Every day, our community faces new challenges that create a greater need for the work the Y does. And we need your help to do it. Your gift can help our community, and everyone in it, shine.
The Y is accepting sponsorship applications now. Race registration will begin online at ymcabham.org/race on May 1st and at the YMCA of Greater Birmingham Downtown Branch through race day. For more details and sponsorship information contact Sarah McMillian, Race Director at 205-801-7218.
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