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The sidewalks and byways of Oakboro District Park will be filled with runners on the day after the governor’s safer-at-home order expires.

At the recent meeting of the Oakboro Town Council, the commissioners heard and unanimously approved a request from the Mint Hill Lions’ Club to host the group’s annual 5K run. The governor’s safer-at-home order is set to expire Sept. 11.

Representatives from the Lions Club spoke to the board saying the city of Mint Hill had denied its request to host the annual fundraiser event.

Organizers said approximately 90 runners signed up for the event and will each have their own individual starting times to avoid being grouped with other runners due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Club member Scott Jeffers said from what people know about the coronavirus, “it has very little effect on people who don’t have other problems.”

Members of the board suggested Oakboro District Park because trails exist in it used by West Stanly High School’s cross-country team, which basically runs the same distance during competitions.