Every year, the Cooper-Young Community Association holds a contest to design that year’s logo and t-shirt design for the annual Cooper-Young 4-Miler, the CYCA’s foot race fundraiser held the Friday before the Cooper-Young Festival in September. The winner receives a free entry to the race, $300, and bragging rights.
This year’s winner is Cooper-Young resident and avid runner Kevin Pasley. Pasley works in the design sector at HBG Designs. After college, he moved to other parts of Memphis but none of them felt like Cooper-Young, so as puts it, “he found his way back.”
“I’ve lived all over Memphis, and [Cooper-Young] is the only neighborhood that feels like home,” he says. “It just has that identity that makes you want to hang out for a while and I dig it.”
Pasley was excited to win the contest because of his community pride.
“I’ll enter just about any design competition if I think I have a strong idea,” says Pasley, who drew inspiration for his design from the classic video game Pac-Man. “This one in particular just felt like my opportunity to give something back to the community so I just went for it.”
Pasley’s design can be seen on the CY 4 Miler website and Facebook page.
Registration is now open for the 2019 Cooper-Young 4-Miler scheduled for September 13 at 7 p.m. The race is the CYCA’s largest fundraiser, bringing over 2,000 runners and participants into the neighborhood for the race and afterparty. For those who prefer walking or jogging, the race allows for a slower pace. Some registrants even bring strollers. Participants are encouraged to wear costumes. The theme this year is Friday the 13th.
Along the race route are Light the Way parties to encourage runners and add to the overall Cooper-Young vibe of the race. For supporters who aren’t runners, register as a Spirit Runner for $20 and receive a t-shirt.
Don’t forget to stay for the afterparty at Midtown Autowerks, which includes unlimited beer and pizza for runners. There is a $10 entry fee for non-runners.
Register at cooperyoung4miler.racesonline.com. To host a Light the Way party or volunteer for the 4 Miler email info@cooperyoung.org for the sign-up link. — Sheree Stubblefield
