What's happening in Cuba in 2012? Get ready to run! - Cuba, MO

Make tracks on Route 66 to Cuba Mo in 2012

Makes tracks on Route 66 on March 31, 2012

2012 in Cuba, Missouri is going to have some excitement, surprises, and fun! If you go to the new chamber website and look on the left hand side, you will find some of Cuba’s annual events and their dates. We will be filling you in on some details of these events as the year progresses.

Now, we are eager to focus on the first event, the Saturday March 31 Race to the Rocker. This year the Friday night Fitness Expo will be held at the Cuba High School Commons area with the 4-H group offering a carb-loading spaghetti dinner. You can pickup your race packet early if you want. The Saturday race registration/packet pickup takes place at Mizell’s Funeral Home prior to the 9:00 start. Participants run/walk 4-miles on Route 66 (both lanes closed) to the finish line at the Guinness World’s Largest Rocking Chair at the Fanning US 66 General Store & Archery Center. You can get more info at the JOG,inc. website. JOG,inc. is Cuba’s running club that directs the race in cooperation with the St. Louis Big River Running.

This is the fourth year for this ever-growing event that has raised over $34,000 for kid-oriented fitness-related goals. Cowabunga! That’s pretty good.

Here are a few reasons to join us in 2012. We think maybe we tamed the weather genie with our run last year when it thundered, lightninged, sleeted, rained, and snowed. We still had a good time. We are due for blue skies this year!

1. The camaraderie of this race has to be experienced. The town gets race fever that is contagious. Even outsiders who travel to the race get sucked into event’s spirit.

Route 66 Race to the Rocker Cuba, Missouri

Friends and family come together.

This colorful group added a lot of spirit to the race. A lot of this group was military who took time out to join the race.

2. You get a race shirt with that big ol’ rocker on it. This year’s shirt is orange. Register for the race and you can walk around on the 31st and say “Orange glad you have the race shirt?.”

3. Cuba has attractions that you can enjoy in addition to the race: indoor and outdoor murals throughout town, several independently owned restaurants, the 75 year-old Wagon Wheel Motel on Route 66, a golf course, a Route 66 winery, and a whole lot more. The finish line is unique.

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

4. This race has changed the lives of folks who have adopted a healthy life-style and trained for the race.

5. We need YOU. Family and friends come together to form teams and share the experience. People return to their hometown to make this race, and strangers sign up and make new friends. The goal for this year’s race is 1000.