WORTHINGTON -- Runners of all ages and ability levels are welcomed to Olson Park tonight for the 34th annual YMCA Fun Run.
The event sponsored by Sanford Medical Center will feature three races -- a half mile, a mile and a 5K. The trio of race lengths provides an opportunity for runners of any ability level to run.
“We started this run to give a chance for the whole family to participate,” said Wayne Klumper who has been involved in the Fun Run for its entire history. “It has a half-mile, a mile and a 5K. The whole family can get involved. The half-mile usually has some younger kids and for the one mile we usually get some very good runners competing to run their fastest time.”
Klumper said the 5K has historically drawn the most interest from runners and he expects that to continue this year.
“The 5K is usually the biggest event,” he said. “It’s full of people running for fun, but also a lot of people who run it hard and fast. We get a lot of college kids and high school kids and some adults who go fast.”
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With the Turkey Day 10K coming up in September, the Fun Run 5K provides runners and opportunity to test themselves before the longer race.
“It gives people a chance to see how they’re doing if they’re thinking about the Turkey Day Race,” Klumper said. “It’s a chance to compete before they run in that longer race.”
Registration begins at 5 p.m. with fees of $13 for YMCA members and $15 for non-members. The half-mile race begins at 5:30 p.m., the mile at 5:45 p.m. and the 5K at 6 p.m. All races will be held at the Olson Park fairgrounds.
All participants will receive a free t-shirt and a bottle of water.
Tomorrow’s forecast has a high chance of rain, but Klumper said the race is still on, even if rain falls.
“It might rain tomorrow but it won’t slow us down,” he said. “It’s been so hot lately, a little rain won’t be bad.”
