RUSSELL, Ky. – Registration is now underway for the 41st annual Kiwanis Run By The River, set for Saturday, June 9, in downtown Russell.
The race, which features both 5K and 10K runs and a 5K walk, is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of East Greenup County, Ky. The races begin at 8:30 a.m.
Run By The River features competitive races for men and women in both 5K and 10K runs, along with a number of additional special races within the 5K event.
Trophies are given to the overall winners and runner-ups in each road race, men’s and women’s divisions. The top three finishers in both races and in men’s and women’s divisions will receive medals based on 16 age groups that run from 9 and under to 80 and over.
This is one of the few races to recognize both the youngest and oldest runners.
Trophies will be given to the winners and runner-ups in the following special events in the 5K race only: Father/son; mother/daughter; father/daughter; and mother/son pairs.
Trophies are also awarded to the winner and runner-up in a stroller division and an event the club as dubbed the “Top Dog.” The stroller division is for parents who push a child in a stroller through the 5K course, while Top Dog refers to runners who race with their leashed canine.
Wheelchair entrants are welcome and special trophies are awarded to the top 3 wheelchair participants. There are no awards for walkers but finish times are posted.
The club hopes the special events will introduce an element of fun into the event and encourage more participation. Except for the stroller division and Top Dog category, entries for special events must be in by the preregistration deadline of June 2.
Entries received by June 2 will qualify for a discounted fee of $20. After that date the entry fee will be $25, except for entrants 14 and under who are charged $20 through race day.
Each participant will receive a top quality PosiCharge racermesh tee shirt and a goody bag.
Race day registration begins at 7 a.m. Those who preregistered will pick up their packets at a special tent, while those who need to registered on the day of the race will report to a separate tent.
The only place runners can preregister and pay with a credit card is the race’s own web site, www.runbytheriver.com. You can download and print a mail-in entry form at www.tristateracer.com, www.runbytheriver.com, or on Run By The River’s site on Facebook.
Run By The River is the longest continuously operating road race in Kentucky, and last year it attracted nearly 150 entrants.
The race course is flat on blacktopped streets starting in downtown Russell. Runners travel along Riverside Drive then along the Ohio River Road through Worthington and back.
For more information runners can contact race director Tim Gearhart at 740-532-9688 or by email at timgearhart204@att.net.