Issue link: https://alabamapower.uberflip.com/i/887598
'UNBREAKABLE SPIRIT' CALLS RUNNERS TO NEELY HENRY LAKE In the early morning hours, it's not uncommon to see fishermen dotting the road on the way to Neely Henry Dam near Gadsden. As dawn's light dapples like diamonds across Neely Henry's emerald green waves, some fishermen might believe they've found paradise. Kristen Hollis found her heaven on Earth as she sprinted through carefully plotted paths for the inaugural Neely Henry Dam 5K on July 8. She was among 350 folks who trekked the two-lane bridge above the dam, which spans Ohatchee to the east and Ragland to the west. NEELY HENRY DAM 5K SUPPORTS THE COMMUNITY "Running the bridge is something you just don't get to do," said Hollis, a member of the Gadsden Runners Club for four years. "ere's always traffic. is was the chance for a really good run." "I enjoy the trees and the scenery around the lake," said Hollis, whose 9-year-old son, Hayden, and 19-month-old toddler, Hudson, took part in the Kids Run. "I had seen the signage and advertising on the way to work, and I wanted to take part in this," said Hollis, who works at National Cement Co. in Ragland. "We're here to support our community. Especially as a company, we want to give back to this community as much as we can." Mitchell Stewart, pushing his toddler son in a professional runners stroller, said he came out to support the community. "I just came for a good cause, hopefully to run a good race," Stewart said. Alexandria resident Kim Jay admitted she wanted her first trek across the hydro dam. "It's the Dam 5K and I wanted to run across Neely Henry Dam," Jay said, smiling. "I just love running." Many supporters were there at 7 a.m. to watch the 5K runners, and to see the Kids Run and the "Unbreakable Spirit Run" for three young participants. e brainchild of Alabama Power employees Kadie Nowak and Casandra Maudsley, the Dam 5K was created to help families with children who have rare disabilities. Nowak's son has osteogenesis imperfecta, or OI, a condition in which bones break easily. "Alabama Power has been amazing," said Nowak, an administrative assistant at Weiss Shoreline Management whose 3-year-old, Harlan, was born with OI. "We're so grateful for the outpouring of support from Alabama Power employees and everyone else. It turned out bigger than I could have dreamed." 11 www.apcshorelines.com