Though not actually held on Flag Day this year, an annual tradition for the holiday will return to Dover this week.

    The 22nd Annual Dover Mile, sponsored by the Colonial Rotary of Dover, will kick off with registration at 5:15 p.m. Thursday, June 11, at The Green on State Street.

    This year’s one-mile event will include a family walk, competitive walk, a fun run and a competitive run on a course that starts at North State Street and Columbia Avenue, and runs to the finish line at Golden Fleece Tavern on The Green.

    As it does every year, the Dover Mile will benefit various organizations in the community, something that Colonial Rotary of Dover Club’s past president Bob MacLeish said brings the community together.

    “The incoming president will pick different projects to donate to, but we generally support the same ones,” MacLeish said. “It’s something that brings the whole community together.”

    In the past, proceeds have benefited the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Dover, the Hope Clinic, Habitat for Humanity, the Elizabeth Murphey School and other local organizations.

    The evening’s events kick off with a Flag Day ceremony at 5:50 p.m. with the unfurling of a large American flag that MacLeish said would be flown above C.F. Schwartz, a Dover car dealership.

    The Mile Fun Walk will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Sub-Masters Mile Run at 6:55 p.m., the Masters Mile Run at 7:15 p.m. and the Mile Fun Run at 7:30 p.m.

    The overall winners in the Sub-Masters and Masters runs will be presented with a commemorative trophy, while the top three male and female finishers in the Mile Fun walk and run will receive medallions.

    At this point, approximately 350 people have pre-registered to take part in the Dover Mile, but MacLeish expects more to sign up soon because of some added incentive.

    Since the rotary scheduled this year’s event for a Thursday evening, it will run at the same time as Concerts on the Green, featuring the Bro. Joe Baione Trio this week.

    “It’s a nice combination for the two events to run side by side,” MacLeish said. “It’ll give people some free entertainment along with the mile.”

    The cost of registration is $10 in advance, $15 the day of for individuals; $25 in advance, $30 the day of for a family of three; and $30 in advance, $35 the day of for a family of four or more.

    All registrants will receive a commemorative T-shirt as part of their registration fee.

    MacLeish said he hopes this year’s event can accomplish what it has in the past, and with the support generated so far he’s confident it will.

    “It’s a fun night and there’s a lot of camaraderie,” he said. “You get to hear the Concerts on the Green and just have a good time while supporting the local community.”

Email Brian Citino at brian.citino@doverpost.com

If you go...
What: The 22nd Annual Dover Mile
When: 5:15 p.m. Thursday, June 11
Where: State Street on The Green
Cost: $10 in advance, $15 the day of forindividuals; $25 in advance, $30 the day of for a family of three; and $30 in advance, $35 the day of for a family of four or more
Information: Call Ray Parker at 674-3213 or Bob MacLeish at 677-1965