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Sydney Cromwell
Botanical Gardens' Dirt Dash
Runners take off from the starting line at the Dirt Dash.
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Sydney Cromwell
Botanical Gardens' Dirt Dash
Runners prepare to start the annual Botanical Gardens' Dirt Dash.
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Sydney Cromwell
Botanical Gardens' Dirt Dash
Kids run around near the starting line prior to the Botanical Gardens' Dirt Dash.
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Sydney Cromwell
Botanical Gardens' Dirt Dash
Runners begin the race.
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Sydney Cromwell
Botanical Gardens' Dirt Dash
The Dirt Dash had walkers as well as runners on Nov. 14.
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Sydney Cromwell
Botanical Gardens' Dirt Dash
The Trey Lewis Duo and Reid Brooks provided entertainment during and after the race.
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Sydney Cromwell
Botanical Gardens' Dirt Dash
Runners look at vendors' items at a craft show in the Gardens.
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Sydney Cromwell
Botanical Gardens' Dirt Dash
Cole Williams, the overall first place finisher, runs through the Japanese garden.
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Sydney Cromwell
Botanical Gardens' Dirt Dash
Runners pass through the Japanese garden.
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Sydney Cromwell
Botanical Gardens' Dirt Dash
Runners pass through the Japanese garden.
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Sydney Cromwell
Botanical Gardens' Dirt Dash
About 180 runners competed in the Dirt Dash.
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Sydney Cromwell
Botanical Gardens' Dirt Dash
The 5K and Fun Run were held Nov. 14 at the Botanical Gardens.
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Sydney Cromwell
Botanical Gardens' Dirt Dash
The Botanical Gardens' Dirt Dash takes runners on a course winding through the different gardens.
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Sydney Cromwell
Botanical Gardens' Dirt Dash
A chilly morning didn't stop runners from enjoying the Dirt Dash.
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Sydney Cromwell
Botanical Gardens' Dirt Dash
The Dirt Dash benefits the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
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Sydney Cromwell
Botanical Gardens' Dirt Dash
Runners race through the Botanical Gardens' Dirt Dash.
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Sydney Cromwell
Botanical Gardens' Dirt Dash
The Gardens' junior board organizes the 5K and Fun Run.
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Sydney Cromwell
Botanical Gardens' Dirt Dash
The Botanical Gardens' Dirt Dash included a path on pavement and dirt trails.
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Sydney Cromwell
Botanical Gardens' Dirt Dash
About 180 runners participated in the 3rd annual Dirt Dash.
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Sydney Cromwell
Botanical Gardens' Dirt Dash
Runners wind through the gardens.
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Sydney Cromwell
Botanical Gardens' Dirt Dash
Runners participate in the Dirt Dash.
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Sydney Cromwell
Botanical Gardens' Dirt Dash
Runners and walkers competed in the 3rd annual Dirt Dash Nov. 14.
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Sydney Cromwell
Botanical Gardens' Dirt Dash
Cole Williams was the first to cross the finish line.
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Sydney Cromwell
Botanical Gardens' Dirt Dash
Runners cross the finish line at the Botanical Gardens' Dirt Dash.
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Sydney Cromwell
Botanical Gardens' Dirt Dash
A runner crosses the finish line.
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Sydney Cromwell
Botanical Gardens' Dirt Dash
Runners cross the finish line.
Runners enjoyed views of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens during the third annual Dirt Dash on Nov. 14.
Gardens CEO Fred Spicer said about 180 people showed up for the 5K and Fun Run. He said the race is a chance to show off the gardens to people who don't typically show up for other events or classes.
"It brings a different crowd to the gardens. The gardens are different things to different people," Spicer said.
The Dirt Dash is put on by the Botanical Gardens' Junior Board. Caroline Brady is the board's special events chair and said this was her first year planning the event.
"I think it's neat that you get to see a glimpse of everything we work so hard to maintain," Brady said.
The first 5K runner across the finish line was Cole Williams, a junior at Hoover High School. A member of the Hoover soccer team, Williams said he chose the Dirt Dash because he was looking for nearby runs to help stay in shape off-season. He said he found the gardens course to be hilly and somewhat challenging.
After the race, the runners got to enjoy hot drinks, vendors at Alabama Designer Craftsmen's Annual Fine Crafts Show and music from the Trey Lewis Duo and Reid Brooks.