“Running Bear 5K Run” darts through Glen Arbor
From staff reports
On Tuesday, July 23, the Glen Arbor Women’s Club (GAWC) hosts the seventh annual “Running Bear 5K Run/Walk and ½ Mile Kids’ Run. This event has become popular with locals and tourists alike. Last year, 700 adults and children took part. The 5K event is open to everyone. You can run or walk, so young people as well as seniors can participate in the 5K. The younger children are not forgotten and can participate in a ½ Mile “Kids’ Run”. They run/walk the half mile and each child will receive a ribbon and an ice cream cone from Riverfront Pizza & Specialties. Bring the whole family and join the fun this year.
The event is staged at Cherry Republic in Glen Arbor. Registration will be from 7:30-8:45 a.m. and the race will leave from the corner of Lake and State Streets at 9. The Kids’ Run follows at 9:05. The event will end up back at Cherry Republic for an “After Race Celebration”.
Pre-race excitement will include a warm-up for runners and walkers by Lori Osinski, Trainer and Pilates Instructor from Lorie’s Pilates in the Village Sampler, at 8:40 a.m. Two favorite local entertainers, Pat Niemesto and John Kumjian from The New Third Coast, will start the race with the National Anthem. And our Mascot “Running Bear” will be there to cheer on the runners and charm all the children.
The “After Race Celebration” will include the announcement of the winners. There will be a male and female overall race winner and first and second place in nine age categories with metals and prizes for each from Cherry Republic and Crystal River Outfitters. There will be lots of great food and, last but not least, a drawing for over 70 raffle prizes, where everyone entered in the race is eligible. You must be present to win. The prizes are fantastic including get-a-way weekends, dinners from local restaurants, and prizes from many area merchants.
This event will earn money for local scholarships and community improvement. With the proceeds from last year’s Run, the club gave out four, $2,000 Memorial Scholarships. These were awarded to Mike O’Brien, Megan Wright, Emma Velis, and Peter Kirby-Miller. The GAWC Extraordinary Achievement Award for $2,000 was awarded to Sidney Wendels. Congratulations to these fine students. The club also gave $500 for the Glen Lake Leadership Retreat, and $150 to the Glen Lake Music Department. It also supported the community with $250 to the local food pantry and $250 to the Leelanau Help Link.
Start a family tradition and join “The Running Bear Run” on Tuesday, July 23. The cost is $15 for the 5K Run/Walk ($18, the day of run) and $5 for the Kids’ Run. Registration forms are available at Cherry Republic and the Glen Arbor Chamber located in the M-22 Store in Glen Arbor, and Running Fit and Cherry Republic in Traverse City. For more information or to register online, visit RunningBearRun.com or call (231) 334-7363.
We’d like to thank our Major Sponsors this year, Boone Docks, Cherry Republic, Crystal River Outfitters and The Cyclery, The Homestead, Leelanau Vacation Rentals, Manitou Passage Golf Club, and Riverfront Pizza & Specialties. Please come out and enjoy a morning of fun in beautiful Glen Arbor. Help the Glen Arbor Women’s Club help the community.
