Rendezvous at the Rim Cancelled

FORT PAYNE, Ala. - Oct. 10, 2013 - PRLog -- Due to the shutdown of the U.S. government and the National Park Service’s closing of the Little River Canyon National Preserve, the Friends of the Preserve announces Rendezvous at the Rim set for this weekend has been cancelled. The Half Marathon and the Canyon Center Marathon Fest will take place as planned October 12, 2013, at the Jacksonville State University’s Little River Canyon Center.

“While we are disappointed to have to cancel Rendezvous at the Rim, we are excited the Half Marathon and its activities will continue as planned. The Friends of the Preserve would like to thank everyone involved with Rendezvous at the Rim for their hard work and dedication and we apologize for any inconvenience the cancellation has on our sponsors and the local community. We are hoping to reschedule as soon as the shutdown is over,” said Friends of the Preserve President John Dersham.

Runners will take to the streets beginning at 8 a.m. for the Little River Canyon Half Marathon. Possibly one of the most scenic half marathons in the country, the certified course loops 13.1 miles on paved roads, starting and ending at the Little River Canyon Center. The first five miles will follow the Little River Canyon National Preserve’s scenic and sometimes challenging rim of the canyon, as the remainder winds through gently rolling farm country including Randy Owen Drive and his famous Tennessee River Music Hereford and Angus Cattle Ranch. Proceeds benefit outdoor education programs and local conservation efforts.

Prior to the half marathon awards ceremony, three family friendly activities will be held introducing festivalgoers to art and nature. From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., there will be blacksmith forging demonstrations and metal art available for purchase. At 9:30 a.m., children will not want to miss Mask Making and the Story of Brother Leaf with Renee Morrison and Jill Brookes of the Jacksonville State University Field Schools, and following at 10:30 a.m., Morrison along with Mandy Pearson will host Hiss and Slither, a popular reptile program of the Jacksonville State University Field Schools.

At 11 a.m., awards will be presented for the half marathon at the Canyon Center Theater, and following at noon, live music by Autumn Folk will wrap up the event.

Activities will be held at the Canyon Center along Highway 35 in Fort Payne. Admission is free. For more information, call DeKalb Tourism President John Dersham at 256.845.3957 or visit www.friendsofthepreserve.org.

The Friends of the Preserve is a support organization not directly affiliated with the National Park Service but that abides by National Park policies and procedures. For more information, visit www.friendsofthepreserve.org.