In honor of Harding University and Harding Academy graduate Micah Rine, who died at the age of 26 in 2009, the Harding community is coming together this Saturday for Harding Academy’s Homecoming to run a 5K race through Searcy in order to raise funds for Harding Academy’s Micah Rine Wellness Room.
Micah’s father, Dennis Rine, who works as a counselor and teacher at Harding Academy, is organizing the event. He said if all goes well with the run on Saturday, then the run will become an annual event hosted during Harding Academy’s future Homecoming weekends, similar to the Bison Stampede during Harding University’s Homecoming.
“This has been an idea since the tragedy,” Dennis said. “But with the shock of the tragedy subsiding, we now have the time to spend on how to honor Micah.”
According to Dennis, Micah was a Harding Academy athlete and an avid runner. They ran on teams together in the Mississippi Marathon and the first Little Rock marathon. The wellness room that the race is supporting features exercise equipment and space used exclusively by female students and faculty.
Dennis also said many members of the community are sponsoring the race and volunteering to help the event run smoothly, such as the Zeta Rho social club and the Searcy Police Department.
“I attended the Academy for three years and was blessed to see the Rines on a daily basis,” said sophomore Tyler Gentry, who is helping coordinate the event. “I am also a member of College Church of Christ and have been able to see the impact they have on not only the church or school, but also the community.”
Brian Jones, Harding University 2009 graduate and co-chairman of the event, said he hopes the race will both honor Micah’s memory and change the participants for the better through her legacy.
“Micah Rine left a legacy behind,” Jones said. “One that is a mark on all she touched. She lived her life fully for God and his kingdom mission. I hope those who participate in the race will come to know her story and be changed. Hence the word ‘Legacy’ in the race name.”
The Micah Rine Wildcat Legacy Run will take place tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. and will start in the Harding Academy parking lot. The entry fee is $30 for those who have not yet registered. Participants have the choice to either run the 5K or walk the one mile, which will both take participants through Searcy’s jogging trails and Micah’s favorite places on campus.
