Break out your running shoes to help kids stay away from drugs.
On May 29, Warsaw will play host to the first annual DARE 5K Run/Walk.
According to Warsaw Drug Abuse Resistance Education teacher Doug Light, the event is a fundraiser for the local DARE program, but also "a way to promote health and wellness in the community."
Registration for the event begins at Center Lake Pavilion at 7:30 a.m. May 29 and continues until 8:45 a.m. The race begins at 9 a.m. All who pre-registered for the event will receive a t-shirt. Those who register the day of the race will receive t-shirts on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost to sign up on race day is $15, and there is a maximum charge of $36 for immediate family members.
There is no rain date for the event.
Because this is an electronically timed event, all runners will be given a chip to attach to their shoe. When they cross the finish line, their time will be recorded automatically.
Volunteers will be posted through the course of the race to give directions and general times and pass out water to participants. Light said volunteers are still needed, and anyone interested may contact him at 574-372-9576.
Awards will be given to the top three finishers in each age group (12 and under, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70 and older), and the top overall male and female will receive special trophies.
As of Monday afternoon, about 200 people had already pre-registered for the race.
Light said about 40 members of Positive Fitness already have signed up for the event. The clients of the local business plan to run and walk as a group for the event.Although the DARE program focuses on fifth-grade students, the program is active in each grade level in Warsaw Community School Corp.'s elementary schools. This year, the program was re-introduced at the eighth-grade level as well.
DARE's goal is to educate children about drugs and help them make good decisions about drug use in the future.
