Merrill Park and Recreation will hold the third annual Summer Stride 5K/10K on Saturday, Aug. 15, at the MARC. Registration begins at 7 a.m. and the race starts at 9 a.m.
Merrill Park and Recreation Director Dan Wendorf said they had a solid turnout the last two years and would like to build on that this year.
“Our course is second to none,” he said. “We want it to become a destination run.”
The 5K race starts at the MARC, runs through Council Grounds State Park and ends back at the MARC. The 10K run also goes through Council Grounds after making a loop through the Industrial Park. Medals will be awarded to the top 3 in women’s division and top 3 in men’s division.
An untimed family fun run/walk has been added this year. The fun run/walk route will cover about 1.3 miles from the MARC into Council Grounds and back. The route is scenic and shaded. Strollers are welcome.
Merrill Park and Recreation is partnering with the Merrill Rotary Club to provide volunteers to staff the event. Volunteers will be handing out water at stations along the course.
Proceeds from the event will go to support the Merrill Park Endowment Fund, specifically the new Merrill aquatic center, currently under construction at the MARC. The fund has been established to provide funding for park improvement projects that are not in the city’s budget.
Runners can register on the Tortoise and Hare Website: www.tandhtiming.com; or you can download a registration form from: www.merrillparkandrec.com. Race day registration available (no shirt will be included in price after Aug. 6 registrations).