It’s a chance to help children and veterans and to show some community pride.

Ohio University Southern will host a Bobcat Hustle 5K run, March 24, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Ninth Street entrance to Ohio University Southern. All proceeds go to the OUS Therapeutic Riding Program for children and veterans. This is the first year the school has hosted a 5K race.

“My personal goal is to see 100 people in our race but that might be over projecting for our first year. But we have to start somewhere,” said Jacki Adkins, assistant director of enrollment and student services.

Approximately 80 people have already registered for the event, Adkins said.

Kevin Castille, who was an Olympic trials qualifier in 2004, will participate in the race. Castille is a distance runner, competing in 3K, 5K, 10K and marathon races. He recently won the 2012 Red River Run 10K race with a time of 30:32. Castille participates in many different races each year throughout the United States.

“I’m very excited,” Adkins said. “Running road races is one of my passions. We are excited he agreed to come.”

The race will begin and end close to the OUS Ninth Street entrance.

Individuals may register online through Thursday at TriStateRacer.com, after Thursday, anyone interested can go to the website and print out the registration form. Runners can either bring the form to the event or mail the form to Ohio University Southern, attention Jacki Adkins. The address is 1804 Liberty Ave, Ironton, OH 45638. Checks should be made payable to Ohio University Foundation.

Prizes are awarded to the top three male and female finishers in each group. There will also be prizes for the top three overall male and female finishers.

The age groups are 10 and under, 11-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74 and 75 and up.

For more information, contact Jacki Adkins at 740-533-4603 or adkinsj@ohio.edu.

 

Follow Chris Slone on Twitter @Slone_Tribune.