Staff Report

 

RUSSELL, Ky. — Runners representing 8 decades are set to fill the streets of Russell on Saturday, June 8, for the 36th annual East Greenup Kiwanis Run By The River.

Nearly 100 runners from ages 9 to 80 have preregistered for the race and race director Tim Geahart is hopeful of topping last year’s runner total of 282. Among those planning to attend is Amy Compston of Ashland, who ran the Boston Marathon, finishing that race a short time before an explosion near the finish line.

This year runners are coming from as far away as Sidney, Ohio, Maysville, Ky. and Huntington, W.Va. to compete in both 5K and 10K runs. The races are considered Kentucky’s longest operating road races, and Run By The River is one of only a few races in the Tri-State to offer both 5K or 10K runs as well as both 5K or 10K walks.

“Runners consider our race to be one of the premiere running events in the Tri-State. We have a beautiful course along the Ohio River that is flat and fast and we offer divisions for wheelchair participants and walkers,” Gearhart said.

Several changes are being made this year, Gearhart said. For the first time, the club opted to provide a color-block technical shirt for runners. Additionally, some changes are being made with registration to speed the process.

A separate tent will be set up for runners who have preregistered. They can pick up their race packets at this tent.

Runners who need to register on the day of the event will fill out race forms at a special table where the forms will be checked before moving to the registration tent. There, the race fee will be collected, race numbers assigned and race packets and shirts given.

Trophies will be awarded to both the top finishers and runnersup, both male and female, on both the 5K and 10K races. Medals will be awarded to the first three finishers in each of 16 age groups, starting at 9 and under and running to 80 and over, in both male and female divisions and in each of the races.

Medals are also given to all participants 9 and under who do not win a medal in this category. Walkers will get times, but no awards.

On race day, registration tables open at 7 a.m. in the parking lot next to SuperQuik. The entry fee is $20 for those 14 and under and $25 for all others. Paid entrants receive a tech shirt and other items.

The race course starts and ends at LifeSong Church (the old Central School Building) in downtown Russell, travels along Riverside Drive underneath the Ironton-Russell Bridge, then along the River Road through Worthington and back. A turnaround point is on the River Road for 5K runners.

Russell and Worthington police will be in charge of traffic control and the Greenup County Emergency Medical Service will be on stand-by.

“Support for this year’s race has been tremendous,” Gearhart said, noting there are 23 sponsoring businesses, plus others who are providing race supplies.

Money raised by Run By The River is used for numerous Kiwanis civic projects, including sponsorship of Key Clubs at Russell, Raceland-Worthington and Greenup High Schools, a Builders Club at Russell Middle School and Wurtland Middle School, a Terrific Kids program at Wurtland Elementary, distribution of food baskets at Thanksgiving, scholarships to Key Club seniors at the three high schools, and an annual contribution to the county’s three school resource centers.