SPANISH FORT, Ala. — An estimated 120 runners turned out Saturday for the annual Haulin’ Hooves 5-K and 1-mile Fun Run, benefitting the Spanish Fort High School cross country team and Spanish Fort Educational Enrichment Foundation.

Reece Stevens, 13, won the overall 5-K for the men, while Patty Eriksen won in the female division.

“It was a blast,” said Shelby Stevens, who chaired the event for SFEEF. “The Mobile Roller Derby came out for the Fun Run portion and sprayed everybody with silly string. The weather wound up being great. We just couldn’t have asked for a better event.”

SFEEF Executive Director Sandra Bostrom said final financial figures are not yet available, but she anticipates totals to be on par with the $800 raised in 2008.

The cross country team receives the proceeds from the run, while the foundation applies sponsorship fees from both Haulin’ Hooves and the earlier Fiesta at Fitzpen toward its annual mini-grants program and classroom assistance for all four schools in the feeder pattern.

In 2009, the SFEEF mini-grant program awarded 16 classroom grants totaling more than $22,000. The foundation also supplied each classroom with $100 to purchase supplies at the beginning of the 2009-10 school year. The application deadline for 2010 grants is Jan. 19, and the new awards will be announced in March.

Stevens said the last-minute change of venue from the Eastern Shore Centre to Spanish Fort Town Center afforded an appreciated change of scenery and terrain.

“The new location was a little more challenging because there were more hills, and the weather was just beautiful,” she said.

Added Bostrom: “The racers think this location is much better — a lot safer and the scenery is great. Merchants were also thrilled to have us and several retailers and hotels offered specials to the participants.”

Stevens said a few T-shirts remain available for sale. Interested? Contact the foundation at (251) 401-7333.