Annual nutrition 5K and Kid-K is March 22

Calling all runners and walkers!

In celebration of National Nutrition Month, the Neighborhood Co-op Grocery in Carbondale and WSIU Public Broadcasting — the public broadcasting arm of SIUC — host the 10th Annual Nutrition 5K and Kid-K on Saturday, March 22, at Evergreen Park in Carbondale. Events begin at 9 a.m., The certified course winds through SIUC Campus Lake and Thompson Woods.

Rog n boB will provide musical entertainment.

This fun annual event encourages families to develop healthy habits for life while making a positive difference in the lives of others. Proceeds from the race will benefit the Good Samaritan Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen. Participants also are encouraged to bring canned goods as a donation.

Registration for the 5K and Kid-K begins at 7:45 a.m. Fees are $15 per person the day of the race; families may register for $30. Registration for the Kid-K is $6 per child with a T-shirt included in the entry fee, or free with a no-shirt option. For entry forms, visit the Neighborhood Co-op online at
www.neighborhood.coop or call the store at 618/529-3533.

Before the race, representatives from One-O--One Yoga of Carbondale will lead participants through a series of warm-up exercises. Massages will be available after the race, courtesy of Bill Connell and students from the John A. Logan College Massage Therapy program.

Race registrants will receive an originally designed T-shirt, energy bar, and Crystal Geyser water. The top three runners and walkers in each age group will receive famous from-scratch bread from The Neighborhood Co-op Grocery. Overall female and male winners will receive free massages. All Kid K finishers will receive a ribbon.

The Neighborhood Co-op will provide healthy snacks and baked goods. WSIU Radio's Southern Illinois Radio Information Service (SIRIS) and Equal Exchange will offer samples of hot beverages. Door prizes will include a Neighborhood Co-op Grocery gift certificate, an Equal Exchange Fair Trade gift basket, a WSIU stadium seat and umbrella, PBS KIDS books and DVD's, and more.

- Monica Tichenor