The 2013 Paden City Foundation 5K Run/Walk start

The fourth annual Paden City Foundation 5K Run Walk will offer three upgrades this year.

Race organizers are excited to announce some slight changes to the race that will hopefully give even more people a reason to participate in the fund-raiser for the Paden City Foundation. The race is scheduled for June 7 at Centennial Park (Main Street and 3rd Ave) at 9 a.m.

The first new feature is the addition of a new benefactor. Race Organizer Rodney McWilliams, stated, “We are happy to be accepted as an official Wounded Warrior Project fund-raising event this year. We will be splitting the profits of the race between the Paden City Foundation and the Wounded Warrior Project. The project is a nationally recognized charitable organization that benefits our service men and women who have been wounded, or disabled while serving our country. We want to extend the giving efforts of the PC Foundation beyond the borders of Paden City and this is a great way to accomplish that goal. It also might give even more folks a reason to participate in the 5K run/walk to not only be a part of a fitness event, but to also contribute to another great cause.”

Secondly, a new age group will be added for younger runners and walkers. McWilliams said, “Last year a participant came to us after the race and suggested smaller divisions for the younger participants. It is not easy for a 10-year old to compete in the same age division as an 18-year-old experienced competitor. So we remedied that situation for this year’s race.” The younger divisions will be split as follows: seven years old and younger, eight years old to 14 years, and 15-19 years old. These divisions will hold for both male and female and for both run and walk categories. The remaining age divisions will be the same as previous years (20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 and over). Medals will be awarded to the top three finishers in each division and category for both male and female. Overall winners will be awarded plaques (top three each).

The third improvement for this year’s race will be the official race shirt. The shirt to be distributed will be a “tech shirt.” McWilliams explained, “The shirt is a polyester fitness shirt that is popular among athletes. It will be a crew neck shirt like the cotton shirts from past years, will run true to normal sizes (it is NOT a compression shirt), and feature the race logo on the front and the sponsors on the back. It is a very nice shirt and one that is usually given at larger racing events such as 10K and half marathons or those in larger towns like Wheeling, Parkersburg, etc. We want to offer something extra special for the participants and the shirt is a great upgrade.”

This year marks the fourth running of the Foundation 5K. Average participation is 100 runners and walkers and the committee hopes for more in 2014. The course is great for competitors and recreational runners and walkers. The course is 90 percent flat and 100 percent paved. The starting line is at the corner of 3rd Ave. and Main Street; additional streets used include Stephen Street, North 2nd Ave., Main Street, William E. Ford Park Walking Trail, South 2nd, and 3rd Avenues and Park Street. No part of the race will use 4th Ave. (State Route 2) and volunteers will be manning most all intersections to ensure runner/walker safety. Residents along the route will be notified in advance of race day so they can plan accordingly and also be outside to support the runners and walkers.

Advanced registration for the event will remain the same as the previous three years, just $10 if received before race day. Registration on race day will be $12. “We are encouraging early registration to help with race day coordination of the timing equipment. The more we have registered early, the more efficiently we can operate the day of the race.” Registration forms will be available at WesBanco-Paden City, area merchants in Paden City, by phoning 304-482-9684, emailing trumpet198401@gmail.com, or at rivercityrunners.com (Calendar tab). Forms can be mailed to Paden City Foundation, P.O. Box 233, Paden City, WV 26159.