Team A

In addition to our very scenic finale, Team B got a little revenge on us. Silly string and apple slices were rained down on our RV.

Team B - Team A hand off # 4

So the hand off to team B was priceless. The whole team A lead a water ballon attack on the entire team B. Waymon and Lynn took the brunt of the attack unfortunately, but it was super fun.

Love our Team B! Good luck guys with the stretch from 275 to 300! the attack consumed all hands.

Team B - Running in the Rain

We were hoping the weather would clear up before our 3rd leg, but we were not so fortunate... So, after getting the RV stuck on the side of the road then having a state truck tow us back onto the road, we are finally running. Nothing like a soft shoulder and a heavy RV to creat issues.

Robby is out now pulling some hills on our way to Camden, AL. We have passed the halfway point and are getting closer to Dauphin Island!

Team B

Team B - Second one down and three to go!

We are finished with round 2 now for some grub! And only Selma's finest Mr Waffle will do where Sagging Pants are against the law!

Team B - Second Run

Second run is underway. We love running at night! It's cooler, peaceful, there's less traffic, and you can't see the hills coming!!! Our regular Pizza place didn't come through for us this year. They wanted us to wait 45 minutes for some grub (please). So if anyone has a suggested late-night restaurant in the Selma area, we welcome any and all ideas.

Night running,

Team B

First 75 miles

Team B: First Run

Big W pulling the Anniston route for Team B! Nothing like running in the city during lunch hour.

Team B taking the handoff

Team A just finished up and passed the baton to Team B. They were ready and waiting to go. Good luck team B! See you in a few hours.

Team B is Off!

After a slight delay due to adverse traffic conditions, the entire team is together and headed out. We thank our Southwire sponsors for their hospitality as we eagerly await breakfast and our fist leg. It will be here before we know it!

Until then,

Team B: Robby, Waymon, Kathleen, Shilonqua, Bryan, Eddie, Danny, Gary, Kerry, Lynn

Reason to Believe

Run across Alabama raises funds to fight cancer for 10th year

Runners and Drivers at the Finish Line. Dauphin Island, AL

"All of us in one way or another have been impacted by cancer,” said Market Specialist Bryan Coley. Coley was among more than 30 employees taking part in the annual Run for the Reason April 26-28, beginning on the eastern border of Alabama and ending 350 miles south at Dauphin Island.

Plant Miller Electrical & Instrumentation Journeyman Rosa Boston lost her brother-in-law to cancer in 2009. “I donate to the American Cancer Society and volunteer my time in his memory,” she said. “During the event, it touched me deeply when I would look over and see someone watching us saying ‘Thank you so much.’ It just made me want to do even more to help.”

It is that type of determination and dedication that made the 2012 Run for the Reason another success with more than $30,000 added to the more than $200,000 the event has raised in the past 10 years. “Run for the Reason is a perfect opportunity to showcase what it means to be an employee of Alabama Power Company,” said Distribution Engineer Trey Hayes. “If someone wants to get a grasp of the vastness of our service territory, I challenge them to run across it. Likewise, if someone wants to see our influence on life in the state of Alabama, I challenge them to run across it and count the number of homes, businesses and communities that we impact every second of every day. Using that influence to help win the war that the American Cancer Society fights every second of every day is a wonderful thing.”

“I like to focus on the good that the donations do for cancer patients and survivors,” said Run for the Reason organizer Kevin Manogue, whose grandparents are cancer survivors. “Research to find prevention and cures is extremely important but that work often seems distant to donors. Knowing that the money raised by this event goes to help cancer patients in our own state who are coping with the reality of fighting cancer daily is rewarding.”

Manogue, an engineer at Gorgas Steam Plant, has participated in run for eight years. This year, three teams ran in 4-mile segments during 12-hour shifts. In addition to runners, each team included four drivers. “While we become tired and weary from a few days of running, we realize this is nothing in comparison to battling cancer,” said Coley. “We are glad to do what we can as we remember friends and family who have been impacted by this disease.”

Participants in this year’s event included:
Runners:	Drivers:	Volunteers:
Matthew Abbott Shane Bailey Holley Caldwell Jonathon Carroll Kevin Chappell Bryan Coley Nicole Faulk Butch Guimond Trey Hayes Ashley Kent Steve Mothershed Michelle Mozena Terry Mozena Waymon Tullis Robby Wentz Kevin E. Williams Melissa Williamson	Drew Ayers Rosa Boston Ben Creel Ramsey Glenn Denise Harris Cherie Hill Kerry Jones Delacio Spencer Bob Spotswood Sandy Walker	Palmer Gatlin Lee Hagler IV Chesley Hughes Kevin Manogue Christina Nix Stacy Simmons Tim Townes

By Theresa Helms

Team B: Special Thanks!

A special thanks goes out to our drivers: Ben, Cherie, Rosa, and Denise. We may have run 20+ miles each in the last few days, but they had the hard job. From the time each run starts to it's finish, they are keenly concentrated on our safety and well being. Without their support, we could not have done this. Sitting, driving, and concentrating intently on our running for four to five hours is a difficult job. We want to recognize their hard work and give them credit for what they do.

Thank you Ben, Cherie, Rosa, and Denise. You rock,

Team B

Team B: Finish Line

Thank you to all of our sponsors and donors. To the APSO chapters that volunteered their time and efforts to help us get to the end, we say a special thanks. Thank you to the Mobile volunteers for setting up the finish line cookout.

After a long two and a half days of running, we are glad to be done and going home. The runners are tired and the drivers are too. All in all, it is all worth it to help the American Cancer Society.

--
BC

Team B: "Bo Knows"

This is the guest blogger T-Rock posting for the "B"est Team. We are having a good run thru Mobile this morning. I must admit I expended a little extra energy water fighting with the A team. Thanks guys I felt that around mile 2 of my run.

Just wanted to take a second to say thanks to all of our sponsors. I also wanted to take time to give a special shout out to Kevin "K-Fed" Manogue and a special thanks to all others that helped organize this event.

Last but not least I want all of you to know that you have been in the presence of a celebrity this weekend. Waymon "Bo Jackson" Tullis has graced you with his presence. I think a few people have confused this event with the "Bo Bikes Alabama" fund raiser taking place this weekend. Given mine and Bo's similar athletic skills..... I see how some one could confuse me for him. So if any one wants an autograph at the picnic find me and I will be glad to oblige. You can also get your picture made with Bo.

Team B: Breakfast at Barry

Thank you to Plant Barry's APSO chapter for a much needed breakfast this morning before our final leg. We are sore and tired but also excited to be finishing soon. We are somewhat surprised at how quickly this event has concluded. It seems like just a few hours ago we started and now we are about to finish.

As our time draws to a close we also want to remember those we are running to support. While we are tired and weary from a few days of running, we realize this is nothing in comparison to battling cancer. We are glad to do what we can as we remember friends and family who have been impacted by this disease.

--
BC

Team B: I like your shoes...

I like your shoes...

My momma said you can tell a lot about a person by their shoes: who they are, where they been, where they go... You know if I think about it real hard I can remember my first pair of shoes....

60% done Team B!! Our theme song is "Against the Wind" by Bob Seger. We decided if Forrest Gump could run to that song, we can too.

Our event is coming to a close rather quickly, but we're having a good time. We're off to our standard Friday lunch location in Thomasville before showering and getting a nice nap. We have two runs left and these should be easier. We are beginning to feel the soreness and stiffness set-in, but it's all for a good cause!

--
BC

Team B: A Little Extra Motivation...

After our midnight run yesterday, we are battling sleep depravation and muscle soreness, but we know we're only getting started. We took the baton from Team A and affectionately soaked them with water guns as we start down the road again. We needed a little motivation to get started this morning; so our creative driver Ben came up with a great way to motivate team captain Waymon.

Today we are running through the town of Camden, AL. There are some nice hills here in south central Alabama, but the scenery is beautiful. Looking forward to getting through our third run and being over half-way done.

Until then,

BC

Team B: First Run

Team B "the Best team" is done with the first run. Everyone is ready for lunch, but overall, we had a good run. Looking forward to some short rest and relaxation just before we start up again.

The wind and the heat are a bit intense today, but combined they cancel each other out.

First out today was our team captain Waymon. Hills have an affinity for Waymon, but today they were kind to him. Nicole was batting second and took us through the traffic infested city of Oxford. Littered with red lights and unhappy drivers, Nicole did well despite the obstacles. Nicole also was able to recruit a local runner to join her for a few miles.

In the third spot today was Matt. Matt is new to Team B, but not new to running. He busted out some quick miles. I (Bryan) was batting clean-up right as we got into the midday heat. After battling a few long hills in Munford, I turned it over to Melissa. Melissa pulled us through the middle of nowhere through blazing heat. Robby was our anchor today, and he did a stand-up job of pulling us through to the end. He even ran a few extra tenths of a mile to take us to the handoff with Team C.

Now we're off to the Key West Inn in Childrrsburg for a short nap before running again.

Until then,

--
BC

Team B: Starting up!!

Getting started this morning bright and early! We left Inverness at 6:15am headed to Southwire in Heflin, AL. They always do a stand-up job of providing breakfast before we run. Spending time in the RV getting to know new group members and getting reacquainted with past members. Good times!

More to come,

BC

Alabama Power teams up with Cancer Society in ‘Run for the Reason’

Reproduced from the Alabama Power Media Website

Alabama Power employees are joining in the fight against cancer as they prepare to run 350 miles in the 2011 “Run for the Reason” fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.

The ninth annual run begins at 7 a.m. Thursday, April 28 at the Alabama/Georgia line and ends Saturday, April 30 at 2 p.m. on Dauphin Island.

The three-day event takes runners through several Alabama towns and cities including Anniston, Childersburg, Clanton, Selma, Camden, Grove Hill and Mobile.

Three teams of volunteers will alternate running 4-mile segments during 12-hour shifts, with each runner completing about 20 miles during the event. Four drivers per team will pilot the runners’ RVs and lead vehicles that will accompany runners on their trek.

To date, the Alabama Power team is on track to raise $40,000 through this year’s Run for the Reason. The funds will support the American Cancer Society’s research, education, service and advocacy efforts.

Alabama Power will have 19 employees running in the race and 12 drivers alongside the runners. The cause and the event mesh perfectly for the participants.

“Almost all of us who are participating have been affected by cancer, whether with our families or our friends,” said Kevin Manogue, the organizer for the event. “This is an opportunity to help these friends and family members while doing something we enjoy.”

Because of weather and other factors, arrival times may vary.

Here is the runners’ tentative schedule:

Thursday, April 28

7 a.m. – Runners begin journey at Georgia/Alabama state line on Highway 78.

11 a.m. – Runners travel between Anniston and Heflin.

2:45 p.m. – Runners arrive in Talladega.

6:30 p.m. – Runners leave Childersburg.

10:30 p.m. – Runners arrive in Clanton.


Friday, April 29

2 a.m. – Runners leave Maplesville.

1:45 p.m. – Runners arrive in Camden.

5:30 p.m. – Runners arrive in Thomasville.


Saturday, April 30

1 a.m. – Runners leave McIntosh.

7:45 a.m. – Runners arrive in Mobile.

2 p.m. – Runners arrive at finish line at Cadillac Square Park on Bienville Boulevard, Dauphin Island.


For more information about the Run for the Reason visit www.alabamapowerrunforthereason.org

Run for The Reason 2011 Kickoff

The Alabama Power Run for the Reason is a 2 ½ day continuous run through the state of Alabama to raise funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society. Three teams of seven runners each take turns running through the state in leapfrog style. Each runner covers about 20 miles over the weekend. Each team (and therefore each runner) will run twice in a 24 hour period. When not running, participants ride in RVs and sleep in hotels.

The Run for the Reason (RFTR) participants are employees of Alabama Power and raise funds to support the American Cancer Society (ACS).

What: A two and a half day continuous run covering 350 miles

Why: To raise funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society

How: Teams of runner take turns running through the state in leapfrog style, running approximately 20 miles throughout the event. Runners cover 3 to 4 miles increments every 12 hours. Four drivers per team pilot the runners' RVs and lead vehicles that accompany the runners throughout the state.

Where: The run begins at the Alabama/Georgia state line and ends at Alabama's coast, on Dauphin Island.

When: Thursday, April 28 - Saturday, April 30, 2011

Who: Drivers and runners are Alabama Power or Southern Company employees working in the state of Alabama.