ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — Sometimes the word “big” can be overstated, big sales with big deals offering big savings. Other times there are big events, which require big announcements.

Then there’s the annual “Big Race” at Robertsdale Elementary School. The word “big” doesn’t come close to describing it.

The event was created in 1989 by then Robertsdale Middle School Assistant Principal Jill Hall, a native of Point Clear and an avid runner, having competed in several area races, along with the Boston Marathon and the Iron Man Triathlon in Hawaii, where she finished fourth in her age division.

When Hall died in a tragic automobile accident in April of 1991 at the age of 52, the race, while retaining its original name, has been held each year in her memory and, with the exception of one year, when construction of a new Robertsdale Elementary School facility presented a safety hazard to students, it has been held each year ever since.

“I didn’t know her personally, but I’ve heard she was a very special lady,” said Jody Leavins, who took over as race coordinator 18 years ago when Joe Sharp became athletic director/head football coach at Fairhope High School. “We’ve had a lot of support over the years from the administration, faculty, staff and parents to keep this race going.”

And big? Leavins estimated that only about 100 of the school’s 1,100 students don’t participate in the race every year.

Actually, the event consists of seven different races with separate races for boys and girls for kindergarten-first grade, second-third grade, and fourth-fifth grade students, while the finale pits sixth grade students, with boys and girls competing together.

In conjunction with the race held Friday, the school also hosted its annual Fall Festival with a variety of food, drinks and games, which the students play to trade for candy and other assorted prizes.