Dempsey Dash 5K and 1k Fun Run

🏃‍♂️ Dempsey Dash Overview

On March 8, Brenau University will host its annual Dempsey Dash 5K and 1K Fun Run in memory of the university’s long-time executive vice president and CFO, Wayne Dempsey. The event benefits the Wayne W. Dempsey Endowed Scholarship Fund, first funded in Dempsey’s memory in 2014 by an anonymous donor.

👕 T-shirt Information

• Pre-registration required: Official Dempsey Dash T-shirts provided for all pre-registered participants by February 20.
• Limited availability: All other registered participants through race day will receive a shirt while supplies last.

📜 Race Certification

Certified race: Certification # is GA24002DJ

🎀 The Bowtie Tradition

Those who participate in frequent races have surely seen a variety of trophies and commemorative tokens, though it may be a safe bet that you haven’t seen a bow tie as part of a race package until the Dempsey Dash! If you have run the Dempsey Dash before, you have earned a medal with a bow tie, received a shirt with a bow tie-clad figure, or found a bow tie in your race swag.

🌟 Wayne Dempsey's Legacy

• Impactful leader: Dr. Dempsey was the Executive Vice President/CFO at Brenau University from 2005 to 2013.
• Scholarship established: A scholarship was founded in honor of Dr. Dempsey to continue to help students in their academic and life pursuits.
• Lasting praise: Alums who had interactions with him typically had overflowing compliments of Dr. Dempsey.
• Passionate educator: He was extremely dedicated to fulfilling his obligations as an educator for both the academic and personal growth of those he encountered.

🕴️ Unique Fashion Statement

Those who knew Dr. Dempsey remember him as quite the clotheshorse. He always dressed to the 9s and had a reputation for it. He was almost always seen around campus in a well-coordinated suit and tie combination or a fashionable sport coat.

👔 The Bowtie Journey

The legend gets murky here as to who started the trend. His older son claims to have started wearing bow ties in the late 1980s because he had his own fashion style. Liking the look so much, the elder Dempsey decided to try them out.

From there, the trademark bow tie look was born, frequently worn by Dr. Dempsey in his daily professional life as his calling card. After his death, his sons inherited his tie collection, and one still wears the bow ties today, making the bow tie a unique way to remember a great and unique man!

🔗 Race Registration

For more details and to register, visit the official race page: Dempsey Dash Race Registration.