For The Tribune

 

RUSSELL, Ky. – The Kiwanis Club of East Greenup County is preparing for its 38th annual Run By The River, set for Saturday, June 13, in downtown Russell.

Registration is now underway for one of the area’s premiere road race events and is one of only a few to feature both a 5K and 10K running or walking courses.

The races begin at 8:30 a.m.

“We have added several races within the 5K event, including special trophy awards for father/son and mother/daughter teams, parents who push their babies in strollers through the course and for civic groups and faith-based groups,” race director Tim Gearhart said.

Those wishing to enter the special events must pre-register by June 6. Groups must consist of 10 or more runners and each person in the group qualifies for a special reduced registration fee of $18. The group winner will be determined by averaging the times of the top 5 members of the group. All members of the groups continue to qualify for medals in their age category, Gearhart said.

Race day registration begins at 7 a.m. Those who pre-registered will pick up their packets at a special tent, while those who need to registered on the day of the race will report to a separate tent. Runners can pre-register and pay with a credit card by visiting the web site tristateracer.com or runbytheriver.org. Credit cards will also be accepted on race day.

Entries received by June 6 will qualify for a discounted fee of $20 ($18 for groups), Gearhart said. After that date the entry fee will be $25, except for entrants 14 and under who are charged $20 through race day. Each participant will receive a top quality color block tech shirts and a goody bag.

Trophies are given to the winner and runner-up in each road race, men’s and women’s divisions. The top three finishers in both races and in men’s and women’s divisions will receive medals based on 16 age groups that run from 9 and under to 80 and over. This is one of the few races to recognize both the youngest and oldest runners.

Wheelchair entrants are welcome and special trophies are awarded to the top 3 wheelchair participants.

There are no awards for walkers but finish times are posted.

Run By The River is the longest continuously operating road race in Kentucky, and last year it attracted 225 entrants. Gearhart expects a similar field this year.

The racecourse is virtually flat on blacktopped streets starting in downtown Russell. Runners travel underneath the Ironton-Russell Bridge then along the Ohio River Road through Worthington and back.

For an entry form or more information runners can contact Gearhart at 740-532-0932 or by email at timgearhart@bright.net or visit the web site tristateracer.com or facebook.com/runbytheriver for a downloadable registration form.