Organizers for the Veterans' Memorial Day Road Race want everyone to get out their running shoes and join them for some exercise to support America's soldiers of the past and present.

"We are marketing it to our runners as a way to show patriotism,"

said Joe Isaac, race committee chairman. "It is a nice way to start your Memorial Day. Then you can go home and get the kids and come back and enjoy the parade, which is something this town can be proud of."

The race begins at 8 a.m. Monday at Liebert Corp, 3040 S. Ninth St.

Runners will end the five-kilometer, -- equal to 3.1 miles -- flat, fast-paced event at Liebert as well.

Entry applications are available at Bob Linn Sporting Goods, Ironton Physical Therapy, Westmoreland Physical Therapy in Huntington, W.Va.,

Ashland (Ky.) Physical Therapy, and in The Ironton Tribune.

Preregistration costs $10. Race day registration costs $15 and begins at 7 a.m. until 7:45 a.m. at Liebert. Door prizes and refreshments will be available afterwards.

The race is divided into 13 age divisions for male and female runners. Awards will be given for the top three male and female finishers in each age category. Awards will also be given to the top three finishers overall, both male and female.

For those who do not want to exert themselves as much, a separate walking course has been designed through Woodland Cemetery to still allow people to show their patriotism, Isaac said.

"It is a great way to start a day that is specific for showing tribute to those

who have sacrificed for us." he said. "It is worthwhile for the whole community."

All the money raised from the race goes back to the Memorial Day Parade Committee to pay for the annual parade, he said.

A long-standing tradition in the city, a five-mile foot race was hosted for 17 years until 2001 when a lack of funds caused the race to be canceled. It resumed last year as a five kilometer race.

Last year, 127 runners competed in the race, and Isaac said he has hopes for more this year.

"We expect at least that many, if not more," he said. "Last year, most people registered the day of the race, but we have already gotten a lot of preregistration this year."

St. Mary's Medical Center and Ironton Physical Therapy sponsored the event. Several other local businesses have contributed including Quality Nursing Care, Bob Linn, The Tribune, Accent Health Care and Bartram & Son Grocery, Isaac said.

For more information, call 534-1156.