Wednesday, April 29, 1998

Annual businesswomen's strut set

By SCOTT SCHOLTEN / Abilene Reporter-News

The West Texas Heritage chapter of the American Businesswomen's Association will host its 10th annual STRUT noon, Thursday.

The STRUT is a relay race fund-raiser. Proceeds are put toward scholarships and interest-free loans the association awards to area women seeking higher education.

Last year, the local chapter awarded $5,700 to local women.

To raise scholarship money, relay participants, typically area businesses, pay a $50 per team fee for relay participation. A $250 fee is required to be a corporate-class sponsor. Such donors may enter two teams for the $250.

Relay rules stipulate participants wear business attire, walking-quality shoes, and carry a briefcase. Office shoes are supposed to be stashed inside the briefcase.

Batons will be a rolled-up Abilene Reporter-News.

Companies are at liberty to promote themselves on their briefcases in whatever manner they choose.

The relay starts and ends at the north parking lot of the Civic Center. The race winds through downtown, totaling roughly two miles.

Stool pigeons will mind participants, watching for jay walking and other pedestrian traffic infractions. Each reported violation incurs a 30 second penalty.

After the relay, participants get a brown-bag lunch and are awarded medallions for win, place, and show.

About 10 teams are registered for the event.

The local ABWA chapter will have a team of people from ACU, Hardin-Simmons, McMurry, TSTC and Cisco Junior College.

Meri Allen, STRUT's co-chairman, says people may register on-site up to 15 minutes before the relay starts, as long as they sign the ABWA's indemnity waiver and bring their $50 donation/registration fee.

For more information, call Meri Allen at 675-0611.