Get hydrated, stretch those legs and mark your calendars for Saturday, June 1, for the 16th annual Sarah Bush Lincoln Races for all Paces on the Eastern Illinois University campus.
The multi-race event includes a 5K, 10K, one-mile run/walk, toddler trot and diaper dash, and raises funds for the SBL Dental Program. The service provides preventive and restorative care for children throughout the area. A dental team visits schools to provide the preventive care while the restorative care is provided on a mobile unit and in the dental clinic at 225 Richmond Avenue East, Suite B, in Mattoon. Volunteer dentists are key partners in the program, providing restorative care in their clinics.
“Many children in our area have a critical need for quality dental care, and it’s because of the community’s support for Races for all Paces that we can continue to provide these life-changing services,” SBL Healthy Communities Director Laura Bollan explained.
Registration is open online at www.sarahbush.org/races. All information for the races, including a registration link, course maps and training plans, are also available online.
T-shirts are available for all participants, except for participants of the Toddler Trot and Diaper Dash, and all finishers of the 10K run/walk, 5K run/walk and the one-mile fun run/walk will receive medals.
All events start and finish at O’Brien Field at EIU. The 10K run/walk kicks off the day at 7:50 am, and the family 5K run/walk follows at 8:15 am. Participants can enjoy a scenic jaunt around the EIU campus. Registration for both races is $30 and $5 for kids 17 and under. Chip-timing and aid stations are available for all who participate in the 10K and 5K.
Following the 5K, the one-mile fun run/walk starts at 9:30 am. Registration is $15 and $5 for kids 17 and under.
The Toddler Trot and Diaper Dash will also be held, allowing the littles ones to get involved. At 10:15 am, the Toddler Trot, for kids ages three to five, starts at the 50-yard line of O’Brien Field. After the Toddler Trot, kids three and under will also take off from the 50-yard line in the Diaper Dash. There is no registration fee for this, and participants will receive a prize when they cross the finish line. More fun will be available through the activities in the KidsZone.
Bollan said Races for all Paces is a great way for families to encourage healthy habits in a fun way. “Our races are designed to attract people of all ages and abilities, and we are grateful that we can motivate so many people to get active through this event.”
If you cannot participate but still want to contribute, a link to donate is available online at the event’s webpage. SBL thanks RFAP partners for their support of the event: Title partner First Mid; Title dental partner SC3F Wealth Management; Timing partner First Neighbor Bank; KidsZone partner Consolidated Communications; 10K partner KC Summers; and 5K partner Rural King.
For more information or to register, call Bollan at 217-345-6828.