This weekend, parents and children will take to the trails around Southern Adventist University together as part of a family-fun fundraiser.
The fourth annual Southern 6 is a 6-kilometer trail run beginning at 1 p.m. for parents and teenagers. The Kid K is a 1-kilometer trail run for children 12 years old and under that will begin at 2:30 p.m.
From left, the Southern 6 and Kid K planning team, Wild Trails Executive Director Randy Wharton, Southern Adventist University Outdoor Leadership Adventure Programming Director Nick Evenson, SAU graduate assistant Wyntre Robinson, SAU graduate assistant Trevor Stout and SAU Corporate Foundation Relations Director at SAU Joy McKee, scout the trail before the race.Both events are scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 19, with registration beginning at SAU's Hickman Science Center at 11 a.m.
"It's a nice wholesome way to spend a Sunday afternoon," said SAU Corporate Foundation Relations Director Joy McKee. "It's designed to be an event where the whole family can come out and enjoy the benefits of local trails that can be used year-round."
Online pre-registration costs $35. Registration the day of the event costs $40 for the Southern 6 ($20 for SAU students) and $10 for the Kid K. All proceeds will go to the university's Outdoor Leadership program and toward maintaining the trails, which are available freely for public use, said McKee.
According to McKee the Kid K is a great first race for young runners or a way to involve the whole family in exercise.
"It's important to get kids out running at a young age and teach them the importance of trails," she said. "This year the Kid K participants will be running a loop on the biology trail."
McKee said the Southern 6 is a relatively tough trail race that offers several good inclines for people who are avid trail runners while still being not too difficult for beginners.
"There's nothing more fun than seeing a huge group of runners of all levels take off," she said. "It's really cool to see them head off into the woods and know they'll all be coming out later."
This year's event is presented by Southern Adventist University, Rock/Creek and Wild Trails. It will feature door prizes, a local band, a bouncy house for kids and more, said McKee.
For more information, visit www.rockcreek.com.