Our Race's History
The Arthur J. Turner Jr. Scholarship 5k Run/Walk was established in 1992. Members of the West Center City Community Center, now known as the William Hicks Anderson Community Center, gathered together to institute a commemorative tribute to Arthur’s legacy. Founders/Contributors in attendance at the meeting were: Arthur J. Turner Sr., Founder; Gerald Oravitz, WCCCC Executive Director; Mark Powell, WCCCC Staff Member; Arnold Hurtt, Athletic Director; John Shehee, Employee of the City of Wilmington.During that meeting it was decided that a race be named to honor Arthur Jr. The Arthur J. Turner Jr. Scholarship 5K Run was introduced to commemorate the life, achievements and legacy of our fallen son. After the initial meeting, authorization needed to be secured by the City of Wilmington. The decree was approved by Executive Director, Jea P. Street and later formerly established by Mayor Daniel Frawley to establish the Arthur J. Turner Jr. 5K Run/Walk as a legitimate City-approved annual event.
Synonymous with a commemorative 5K Race being established, a Scholarship Fund was also set up. The fund was declared as an educational scholarship to minimize the scholastic expenses of students with aspirations to attend college but without the financial ability to achieve their desired goal. Eligibility criteria was established to denote the high school accomplishments of students in conjunction with scholarship requirements.
The first Race was held in June of 1992 at West Center City Community Center. Races continued to be held at WCCCC, which would later be renamed the William Hicks Anderson Community Center until June 2003, when they were relocated to the Wilmington Riverfront.