Bed race to benefit Alzheimer’s foundation to be held Nov. 10

For one day, Greenville will be the bed-racing capital of North Carolina.

The Johnny O Alzheimer’s and Dementia Awareness Foundation will hold an afternoon of mattress matchups Saturday, Nov. 10, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the parking lots of Clark-LeClair Stadium.

In the bed race, teams of four push a wheeled bed with a “driver” on it over a 50-yard course. The Johnny O Foundation supplies the specially made beds. Teams compete in heat races to determine which ones move on to the next level. Team members must be at least 16 years old.

Prizes will be given out to the top three teams and for the best-dressed team. All participants will receive a certificate and medal for their participation and a T-shirt.

The fee per team is $200, which is applied to the $2,000 goal the foundation encourages each team to raise. All donations are tax-deductible.

ECU fraternity Sigma Gamma Tau has helped organize and promote the event, and a number of ECU fraternities and sororities are supporting it, said Keith Tingley, ECU director of Greek life.

The foundation is led by Mark ORavitz, an Arizona business owner and ECU graduate. The foundation is named for his father, who has Alzheimer’s disease. ORavitz’ mother also died of dementia-related causes in April.

More information and entry forms are available online at http://www.thejohnnyo.org.