Cuba, Missouri Rocks the Route 66 Race to the Rocker

UPDATE: The new website for the Route 66 Race to the Rocker is www.racetotherocker.com.

The race brings together the community and visitors for a common goal: the last bend of the race that puts the World’s Largest Rocking Chair in sight.

March 22, 2014, (9:00 am Rain or Shine) creates race fever as the community prepares for a yearly event that brings out hundreds for the four-mile race that shuts down both lanes of Route 66 and raises 1000s for the fitness of Cuba kids. Last year, the 6th annual Route 66 Race to the Rocker brought in over $20,000 for Cuba’s kids. Close to 1000 racers pounded the Route 66 pavement .

The race begins in Cuba, MO’s historic mural district in front of 3rd Generation Salon and ends at the site of the World’s Largest Rocking Chair at the Fanning Route 66 Outpost General Store. The race is unique for its Route 66 route and its finish line. The goal for every participant of whatever age is to make that last bend of the race and see the massive rocker on the horizon.

The 42′ Rocker looms in the background at the finish line.

Hayes Shoe Store has a rush for new tennis shoes. The walkers and runners hit the street in preparation for the race. All ages take part. The oldest runner was eighty and the youngest only one. Yes, you can use a stroller if you stay toward the back when the race starts.

The organizing group JOG,inc. and Race Director Brad Austin begin planning the next year’s race as soon as the current one is over. Committees form to take care of the myriad of details involved in the Friday night Expo and Spaghetti Dinner. The Saturday race must be well-organized and coordinated with Big River Running. Registration has to flow smoothly.

The race also garners attention for the town. Rural Missouri Magazine featured the Rocker on its cover and profiled the town on the inside cover of its March issue. Jim McCarty’s photo of the rocker is enough to make other racees green with envy.

Jim McCarty’s photo on the cover of the March Rural Missouri Magazine is a striking intro to the race and the town, which are profiled.

AAA’s March/April Midwest Traveler Magazine also covered the race and our town in its article “Show Me the Mother Road” by Deborah Reinhardt.

In her article Reinhardt has this to say about Cuba:

A short drive west from Stanton brings you to Cuba, an interesting town with an impressive collection of outdoor murals, some devoted to Route 66. If you’re in town on March 22, you’ll likely see runners participating in the annual Race to the Rocker. The world’s largest rocking chair–according to the Guinness Book of World Records–is in Cuba. You’ll also find the restored Wagon Wheel Motel, 901 E. Washington. Several restaurants, including Missouri Hick Bar-B-Q, are in town and well worth sampling.

The Cuba Free Press began running a series of articles in February that profiled some of the racers and how the race has changed them. Jane Parres’ story in a recent article is just one of many that have inspired the community. Another article discussed how the race has become a community event. One of the participants stated:

There are many stories of personal triumph behind each race, and the race has changed lives. And I am proud to say that the last person in the race is celebrated and applauded as well as the winners of the race. Whatever the weather, whatever a person’s time and placement, we are all winners at the Route 66 Race to the Rocker.

Whether the race is inspiring, helps the economy, or adds to our fitness, it’s also fun and brings visitors and locals together. The end of the race at the Rocker is a social occasion. After the photos are taken and awards given, many go out for lunch at local restaurants, photograph the murals, or visit the winery to listen to music. Many wear their race shirts with the distinctive rocker. It’s fun, it’s our race, and we rock it.