Signups for the Kiwanis 5K in October’s fall festival ongoing

“Due to heavy rain and storms, we had to cancel it. So I guess you could say this is our first second-annual race,” she said with a laugh.

The idea for a 5K and Fun Run was born last year by then-president Carey Pilgrim as a way for Kiwanis to offer a fun event for families and also raise money for the club. “The goal of Kiwanis is to help local youth. We do that by financially supporting organizations like Youth Summerfest and we award the annual Jack Lopez Memorial Scholarship to a graduating high school senior. Club members oversee the US flag project – a program which ensures the display of American flags in the downtown area on federal holidays.The club also hosts an annual health fair for kids and this year, began a new reading initiative in local elementary schools,” Madden said. “Our reason for hosting the 5K is so that we can do even more. We’ve talked about giving a larger scholarship and we’d also love to donate more to local organizations as well as take a larger part in assisting our schools’ K-Kids and Key Club programs.”

The race, sponsored by Rick Zoerb Ford, takes place the same day as the downtown Fall Festival, planned that way so folks can stick around after the race and catch the annual Shriner’s Parade, grab a good bite to eat and peruse the local arts and crafts that are on display along Main Street.

Beginning at the corner of Main Street and Prior, the race will take runners down Main Street and then out to the Silver Comet Trail and back to the finish at the Depot.

Online registration is offered and those wishing to participate are encouraged to sign up now. Cost to register early (now until Sept. 30) is $20 for the 5K and $10 for the Kids Fun Run. Registration on race day is an additional $5. Race T-shirts are included in the registration price, but Madden encourages participants to sign up now to guarantee a shirt. For questions, contact 770-8468558.