SOUTHERN PINES – In downtown Southern Pines, a race to the finish brought an estimated 500 people out to watch grown men and women
race children’s tricycles down a main street. Nasty stuff, but even worse was the man wearing a fuzzy black monkey head. For $25, he would ride on the back of another contestant’s tricycle to slow it down. The bargaining went on at the start of each race, which included five riders. Contestants were encouraged to wear costumes. The early contestants, straight from work, wore street clothing. But as the race progressed, the costumes became increasingly bizarre. One man wore a white cow costume. There also were people dressed as the Wizard of Oz, Superman and Pocahontas. Someone called the participants “The who’s who of Moore County.” Mayor Mike Haney took his turn on the tricycle and seemed to be having a great time. When it was over, he said he was pleased with the event and what it accomplished for Linda Pearson, executive director of United Way of Moore County, and her staff. “I think the race is the most fun of any fundraiser we have ever had,” Pearson said. “And what the heck, it’s our signature event.”
Local restaurant owners sold healthy treats in nearby booths.