OnTurf Sports, the organizer of the upcoming DiscoverRoanoke 10K/5K run/walk, is pleased to announce that Edward Jones Investments and Parkview Physician’s Group (PPG) have agreed to become major sponsors for the 2nd Annual event to be held in downtown Roanoke on April 16th, 2010, at 9 am. The event will benefit the Roanoke Elementary PTO, will be held rain or shine, and is open to participants of all ages. Edward Jones and Parkview Physician’s Group(PPG)/Parkview Hospital join United REMC, Bippus State Bank. Lassus Brothers, JO Wolf Tool and Die, American Specialty Insurance, and Dick’s Sporting Goods as official sponsors of the event. In-kind sponsors include All Sport drinks, Three Rivers Running Company, the News Sentinel, Fred Toenges, Road ID, and El Shaddai.
The event will feature a festive atmosphere with music playing at the start/finish line and live updates from the course as the participants wind their way around the town and adjoining countryside. Even if you don’t have a friend or family member participating, spectators are welcome to visit downtown Roanoke the morning of the event and enjoy the festivities while browsing the eclectic blend of downtown merchants while cheering on the participants.
In addition to the numerous quaint shops along Main Street, fitness-related vendors will be set up near the Start/Finish line. Three Rivers Running Company, the leading running/walking equipment outlet in Northeast Indiana, will be onsite to provide tips and advice while offering tremendous discounts on running/walking gear. All-Sport will be providing samples of their energy drink and related products to participants and spectators. More vendors are being added on a daily basis.
Information and registration forms can be found at the event’s website, onturfsports.com/Runners/10k-5kRun-Walk.htm, at the Fort Wayne Track Club website, fwtc.org, and at Three Rivers Running Company’s site, 3riversrunning.com. Registrations are currently being accepted and race day registrations will be available at the start/finish line until an hour before the event. All participants registered before April 2nd will receive a long sleeve event shirt at check-in. Shirts will only be available to participants registered after April 2nd as supplies last. The race organizers are pleased to offer chip timing and age group awards this year.
The course records for the 5K are 17:09 (Josh McIntyre) and 20:36 (Danielle Elwood). The 10K course records are 33:29 (Josh Maple) and 42:59 (Stephanie Breeding).
John Nelson, one of the organizers, described training for the event as an excellent way to keep those New Year’s resolutions to lose weight and get in shape and support an excellent cause at the same time. The 10K should prove to be a great tune-up for the Indianapolis 500 Festival mini-marathon to be held a few weeks later in early May; Nelson noted that the event exactly coincides with the prescribed training schedule for a half marathon. He added that the event website has a link to a training schedule with the racecourses clearly shown on the site for those wishing to train on the actual course. Both courses proved very challenging last year with the hilly courses providing a dramatic change from the typical flat terrain experienced around the area. Walkers are encouraged to participate. A time limit will be enforced, but a reasonable pace of 2.5 mph will allow the participants to finish the course in time. Nelson stressed the deadline for the event shirts and encouraged those considering the event to sign up soon, stating that, “The shirts are very sharp and anybody who misses out on one will be disappointed.”