Runners to compete for “Golden Peanut” in inaugural Dothan Half & 5k

Ross Clark Circle has been labeled one of Dothan’s most congested roadways. If Fortis College-Dothan President Roger Rocha has his way, on October 27th it will again be congested, only with runners….not automobiles.

An avid runner, Rocha is hoping more than 500 others will join him from 7 a.m. until 10 a.m. on October 27 for the inaugural Dothan Half & 5K presented by Fortis College and being run on Ross Clark Circle.

Conceived by Rocha, presented by Fortis College, and with its own Facebook page (

), the Dothan Half & 5K will benefit the Dothan Police Foundation – a not-for-profit established in 2016 to improve community relationships by leveraging public-private partnerships to bring residents together. The Dothan Half & 5K celebrates half-marathoners Tim Faulk and Jeff Baker as the first two runners to sign up for the event. Competitors can register to run at

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Rocha urges all runners in and around Dothan, as well as those from across the country, to sign up for the Dothan Half & 5K. All who finish the race will receive a Golden Peanut medal.

“Why a peanut medal,” Rocha asks? “Well, Dothan is the Peanut Capital of the World, the Runner Peanut is the most popular variety grown in the Wiregrass area, and the run is being held the week prior to the National Peanut Festival in Dothan…so it makes complete sense.”

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, when the Circle was completed in 1958 Dothan became the only city in America encircled by a four-lane, divided highway. And, at slightly more than 13.1 miles in circumference, it’s the perfect length for a half marathon. Runners will gather at 7 a.m. on the south side of the Circle, near Highway 231, and will run the inside lane of Ross Clark Circle escorted by police.

Fortis College thanks its Dothan Half & 5K supporting sponsors: WTVY 4, WOOF 99.7, Mike Schmitz Automotive Group, Durden Outdoor Displays, Pepsi, Cintas, Rural King, Eagle Eye Outfitters, Chow King, Wiregrass Commons Mall, Atlantic Southern Equipment, and Southern Bone & Joint Specialists.

To become a sponsor of the Dothan Half & 5K, click on

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