Relay for Life team raises money with lawn mower races

A variety of riding mowers -- and riders -- will be racing to raise money for the Relay for Life team Cardinals Crushing Cancer on May 10 at the Patton Saddle Club.

Meanwhile, Cardinals Crushing Cancer, co-captained by Tamara Miles and Renee Garner, will participate in the Relay for Life event from noon to midnight Saturday at Twin City Park in Marble Hill, Mo.

Trial runs for the lawn mower races will start at 5 p.m. and racing at 6 p.m. May 10. Cost is $5 per car, with all admission fees going to Relay for Life of Bollinger County and then on to the American Cancer Society for research and other services.

Miles said this is the first time her squad has tried raising money through a lawn mower race. The team, mainly made up of teachers from the Woodland School District, derives its name from the schools' sports squads.

She's hoping the event will bring the team's contributions to $15,000. Miles is hoping for a big crowd and plans to recognize everybody that night who is fighting cancer, has fought cancer or lost someone to the disease. T-shirts will be for sale.

Patton Lions vice president Bob Wilson said the races are "a nice little get-together," attracting 50 different lawn mower racers. Participants pay an entry fee and race for trophies.

The mowers still have to look like lawn mowers, but some are "dressed up," Wilson said.

"They run a little faster than most lawn mowers. It's kind of a poor man's racing sport," he said.

Club president John Preston said this is the second year for lawn mower races. The club rents the arena for the races and sponsors the Southeast Missouri Lawn mower Racing Association.

The saddle club is on state Highway 51 North at the 51/72 junction.

Pertinent address:

State Highway 51, Patton, MO, 63662