Viva Cuba was instrumental in Cuba becoming the first Adopt-A-Highway site in the state of Missouri. The community takes the designation to heart.

Viva Cuba was instrumental in Cuba becoming the first Adopt-A-Highway site in the state of Missouri. The community takes the designation to heart.

Cuba, MO  “Route 66 Mural City”: Although a mist was in the air, and the temperature hovered around 40 degrees, about 45 community members gathered Saturday to clean the 4-mile route to the March 27th Race to the Rocker.

The Craig and LIsa Elrod family came out to help clean the route. The youngest member of the family looks a little doubtful about the project.

The Craig and Lisa Elrod family came out to help clean the route. The youngest member of the family looks a little doubtful about the project.

Some of the Cuba HIgh Track Students joined in the clean up. Funds. JOG,inc. contributes funds from the race to the Cuba School Track, which serves over 1400 students.

Some of the Cuba HIgh Track students and Rachelle Austin of JOG,inc. joined in the clean up. JOG,inc. contributes funds from the race to the Cuba School Track, which serves over 1400 students.

The 4-miles along Route 66 from Cuba to Fanning, the home of the Guinness World’s Largest Rocking Chair was littered with trash, fast food litter, bottles, cans, and a multitude of other debris.

Boy Scout Tropp 463 was on hand for a day of service. Cuba's kids are super.

Boy Scout Tropp 463 was on hand for a day of service. Cuba's kids are super.

“With almost 350 participants already signed up for the race, we want the course to look good,” stated Rachelle Austin, of JOG,inc., Cuba’s running club that sponsors the race. With that in mind, Brad and Rachelle Austin put out the word that the helpers were needed.

It was a dirty job and the weather was not good, but Boy Scout Troop 463 and their leaders, some of the high school track kids, runners, and community members came out to make the job fun.

Chrystal Bromstad from The Gym was one of the days volunteers.

Chrystal Bromstad from The Gym was one of the day's volunteers.

After about three hours, one stretch of Route 66 is much cleaner, and now everyone involved in the cleanup can have a little more pride when the starting gun goes off for the March 27th race.

Three Musketeers of Trash

Steve Schuette, Bruce Work, and George Reed were The Three Musketeers of Trash Pickup.

Pre-registration for the Saturday, March 27 race is nearing 350. If you are still interested in registering for the race, go to www.jog-inc.com for more information or register online at www.GetMeRegistered.com under March Events.

For a blog against  littering read “Don’t Trash Cuba.“

For more on the race and the related shoe drive, read “Route 66 Race to Rocker views and updates.”