By SALINA POST
Registration is now open for the Smoky Hill River Run.
Formerly known as the Festival Fitness Five, the event is now in its 42 year. Sponsored by Salina Regional Health Center, the run is part of the Smoky Hill River Festival.
The name of the event was changed to more associate it with the river festival, Brandon Martinez, race coordinator, told Salina Post.
This year's event is scheduled for 7-9 a.m. June 10. The starting line is at the retired steam locomotive in Kenwood Park, near the intersection of Center Street and Kenwood Drive.
The Smoky Hill River Run is for all ages and features a five-mile race and two-mile race or walk, along with age bracketed children's races.
Manhattan Running Company will use a timing mat to time the races this year.
The top three finishers overall in each of the men’s and women’s runs will receive special Smoky Hill River Run commemorative trophies, according to information from Martinez. In addition, medals will be handed out to the top three finishers in each age bracket of the men’s, women’s, and children’s races.
Additionally, the Smoky Hill River Run will have more than a dozen vendors providing food, entertainment and healthy lifestyle resources.
“We are expanding our entertainment and food options as we want to invest in all of our runners from the youngest to the oldest,” Martinez said. “This event is one that you want to bring the entire family to.”
Biscuits and gravy provided by Salina Regional Health Center Food Services will be available for all race participants, he noted. Additionally, children will be able to burn even more energy by bouncing in a bounce house provided by Bounce-A-Roos, LLC, and Bouncer Express. They also can have their faces painted by Color Me Crazy Face Painting.
Crown Distributors will be providing 30-40 cases of water for the event.
Martinez said 130 Salina Regional Health Center employees and family members, as well as 20 officers from the Salina Police Department, are assisting with this year's race.
Online registration is now open at srhc.com/riverrun or fill out an entry form and mail your form and payment to Smoky Hill River Run, Attn: Brandon Martinez, 400 S. Santa Fe Avenue, Salina KS 67401. Participants who register before the morning of the race will be automatically entered into a drawing for a chance to win a variety of gift cards.