A portion of the proceeds from the upcoming 5K Run and Fun Walk will go to help support youth programs offered at the Boca Grande Community Center. The 8th Annual Boca Grande 5K Run and Fun Walk will be held Sunday, Feb. 22, with a 7:30 a.m. start at the community center. Approximately 250 participated in last year's 5K.
Runners and walkers are welcome to join in the run/walk which features views of Charlotte Harbor, goes past the historic Gasparilla Inn and down scenic palm-lined Gilchrist Avenue before finishing on Banyan Street.
The event is a program of Friends of Boca Grande Community Center and Lee County Parks and Recreation with support from Zoomers Southwest Florida Running and Triathlon Club, Gasparilla Properties, Runner Girl ( HYPERLINK "http://www.RunnerGirl.com" www.RunnerGirl.com) and the Gasparilla Inn and Club.
Awards will be presented to the first, second and third place male and female winners in each age division: 9 and under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-plus and wheelchair. Special awards will go to the male and female overall, master, grand master and senior grand master winners.
Many door prizes will also be given away, and winners must be present to win. The grand prize, valued at $1500, is two-person, two-night accommodations, including meals and golf, at the historic Gasparilla Inn and Club.
Shirts will be distributed to the first 250 paid participants. Shirts are not guaranteed to those who register on race day.
The fee is $20 if pre-registered and $25 the day of the event. Registration will be 6 to 7 a.m. on race day. There will be no refund of race entries.
For the safety and enjoyment of all, the course is restricted to registered participants and race officials only. Unregistered runners, unauthorized vehicles, bicycles, skateboards, rollerskates, rollerblades, scooters, baby joggers/strollers and dogs are strictly prohibited.
Runners are prohibited from carrying objects with them while they run to prevent the possibility of injury to themselves or others. The use of radio/recorder headphones is discouraged.
The risk of running in high temperature and humidity is inherent to Florida running, and participants are encouraged to drink plenty of fluids before the start of the event and to replace fluids on the course and after the finish. Refreshments will be available during the post race activities at the community center.
Participants can register onlinr at active.com or pick up a registration form at the community center or Boca Grande Post Office. Checks should be made payable to F.B.G.C.C. and mailed to: Boca Grande Community Center, Attn: Boca Grande 5K, P.O. Box 429, Boca Grande, FL 33921.
For more information, visit RunBocaGrande.com, call Joe Wier or Bob Green at 941-964-2564 or email HYPERLINK "mailto:greener@leegov.com" greener@leegov.com. Anyone who would like to volunteer to help out should contact Joe Wier.
