By SCOTT MIMS / Staff Writer

For a quarter-century, runners of all ages have been participating in the Meadow Brook Runs. The 25^th version of the event will take place Saturday, Dec. 21 starting at Valley Bank’s Meadow Brook Branch.

The fun will begin with the 5K at 9 a.m., followed by the 1-mile Fun Run at 10 a.m. Walkers and pets on a leash are welcome. Attendees will enjoy lots of food, gifts and prizes in addition to souvenir Alabama Bicentennial T-shirts provided by Valley Bank.

“This is specifically a Christian outreach to the running community and the regular community,” said Race Director Bob Cosby, who described the event’s theme as “a mixture of Christmas, Christian and patriotic.”

Cosby wished to recognize the organizations who volunteer and provide resources for the race, firstly Adult and Teen Challenge of Hayden, which provides faith-based residential care to young people and adults with life-controlling problems.

“They’re our mainstay,” Cosby said. “We appreciate them very much.”

He also recognized Young Life, First Priority and local services such as the Hoover Fire Department and EMS.

Tidmore Flag and Banner, a flag maker that originated in Birmingham, will be sending 50-plus handheld Alabama state flags to the event this year. These will be handed out by a “welcome line” to children who cross the finish line. Norton’s Florist is providing flowers for adults who finish, Cosby said.

The only admission is a suggested one-time tax-deductible donation of between $15 and $25 ($25 is automatic for those who register online) that will go to support the Jesus Video Project of Alabama, which on Easter 1998 mailed VHS copies of the 1979 film “Jesus” to every household in the state of Alabama. The group currently centers its outreach on Facebook.

“A fundraising aspect has never been the primary goal,” Cosby said. “We don’t have large expenses, so what we’ve done is the funds that are donated go to the Jesus Video Project of Alabama.”

Many prizes will be given out at the event. Valley Bank is located at 1100 Corporate Parkway, Birmingham, 3.3 miles south of I-459 on U.S. 280 East. For more information, visit Meadowbrookruns.org or search for the event on Facebook. A registration form can be found online at the aforementioned site, or online registration is available at Imathlete.com/#/legacy?url=%2Fevents%2FEventOverview.aspx%3FfEID%3D72737. Those who wish to receive a T-shirt should register by Dec. 13. Day-of-race late registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. on the patio behind Valley Bank.