Knowing that I would be driving my daughter home from college across seven states, I went searching for a race that we could do together the morning after our overnight stop.

I came across the Dash Away 5K in McCalla, Alabama, just near Bessemer, where we planned to stay for the evening on south side of Birmingham. I learned that it was an inaugural event that started at 9 a.m. While it would put us on the road a little later than normal, it was a good interruption in the middle of 18-20 hours of driving.

The race was produced by Camp Fire Alabama and hosted at their Camp Fletcher and proceeds went to benefit the organization and the Camp's programs for children and youth. When registering you had the opportunity to chose a timed or untimed option. (Even though I'm not fast, it is always timed for me please when it is offered.)

My daughter - a college junior - wasn't able to end up running as she was injured; therefore, I took on the slightly challenging out-and-back course that was hosted on lightly traveled country roads myself.

The organizer had the course certified, which I didn't completely notice until getting ready to write this review. The certification map is here -- http://www.usatf.org/events/courses/maps/showMap.asp?courseID=AL15064JD (In fact, when I registered, it might not have been posted yet as the paperwork wasn't filed until the first of December.)

The course was challenging and primarily uphill on the way out as there was as an overall 61-meter climb from the lowest point, just shortly after crossing the start, to the highest, which was just past mile one. But that meant that you could hammer it on the return, which I did. My split on the back half was two minutes faster than on the front half!

Just about every local agency in the area (police and fire) was out to support the race (which is great - sometimes you don't see such friendly support and cooperation) and the Jefferson County Sheriff addressed the small gathering of runners before the start, as did the race director and the timer who went over the course.

There was one water stop at the turnaround with a couple of friendly volunteers and plenty of water and Gatorade.

The event started about ten minutes late, but the crowd didn't seem to mind. Nor did I (being in event production.) And first-year events are worthy of getting a pass on items such as this when you can see it was only to just make sure that everyone providing course support was on the same page.

Runners received a nice bag, long-sleeved event t-shirt and the bag also contained a water bottle, stress ball (which could be tossed to some testy holiday drivers this weekend) and a Starbucks coffee cup. (I'm not a coffee drinker, but my savvy daughter said that they're quite worth it.)

We left immediately after I finished so we could get on the road, but the atmosphere of the organization's cause, especially given the time of the year, was cheerful and friendly.

This is a race that is worthy of everyone's support to allow for it grow to provides more services to 11,500 children and their families annually.