Get the running shoes and head out to Jack Read Park Saturday morning for the Rotary Club of Picayune’s annual Shamrock 5k and Fun Run.
The event starts that morning at 9 with a mile-long Fun Run that will start at Jack Read Park in Picayune, turn into the residential area behind the park and loop around until it ends where it began, said Rotary Club Run Coordinator Clay Sweet.
At 9:30 that morning the 5K will start.
A cash prize will be awarded to the overall top male and female runner. One overall male and one overall female runner will receive a cash award of $75 each.
Winners in each age division will be awarded medallions. Age categories for male and female runners include 13-18, 19-24, 25-29, 30-34, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69 and 70 and over.
Registration can be done early by downloading the form from the Rotary Club of Picayune’s Facebook page and sending the club a message of the racer’s intent to participate. Sweet said registration can also be completed the day of the event. Registration begins at 8 a.m.
Entry fees for the 5K are $25 for a racer who would like a T-shirt, or $15 for racers who do not want a shirt.
T-shirts can be purchased separately for $10.
Sweet said attendance at last year’s event was light due to another event occurring on the same day, but expects turnout this year to be better. He said 31 racers are already registered, and expects this year to rival previous years where about 50 people participated.
“We’re hoping for a big turnout with the weather the way it’s going to be,” Sweet said.
The route for the 5K will be provided the day of the race.
Proceeds from the race will help the Rotary Club of Picayune conduct the many programs they do throughout the year, such as providing dictionaries to children in local schools, holding the annual fishing rodeo and providing food boxes to needy families during Christmas.