If you enjoyed last year’s inaugural ChesterFest 5K, there’s good news for you: it’ll be returning again this year.

In 2007, about 40 runners turned out for a course that led them through Lee St. to the Linear Park, and back to Lee; this time around, according to event organizer Mark Endries, the route will be slightly changed.

“Keeping it along the Chester Linear Park makes it really unique, because most races are strictly on roads and paved surfaces, and this will be on the scenic Rail Trail for part of the course,” Endries says. “This year, though, we’re going to be taking runners from Lee St. to the Linear Park and then have them end up in the Village Green at the site of ChesterFest. I think that’s going to be a really exciting change, because this will put participants in the race right in the middle of the event when they’re done.”

The race is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. – “it’s much cooler then!” Endries says – and participants can register for the event up to race day. Registration before September 1 will be $15; after September 1, the fee will increase to $20 for regular racers but remain at $15 for racers under 16 years old. The first 100 participants to sign up for the race will receive 5K T-shirts.

There will also be awards: top male and female racers will be given one-year memberships at Chester Anytime Fitness, a race sponsor.

The Tri-Cities Road Runners, a racing group in Petersburg, will once again be on hand to monitor the 5K. “They run many races during the year and have a lot of experience with racing, so they’ll make sure everyone has a good time, whether they’re a serious runner or someone who’s just out to have fun,” says Endries. “This is definitely a race for all ages.”

In addition to supervising the race, the Road Runners will also be hosting registration forms on their website, tricitiesroadrunners.org; registration can also be done at active.com or by calling Endries at gig_ideas@comcast.net.

Endries has taken heart from last year’s successful race, and imagines that the 5K’s second year will be even better. “The initial year was successful in that everyone who came out really enjoyed themselves, but this year, we envision having more runners,” he says. “We got some very positive comments from the runners who participated last year, so I think we’re going to have more people come out this time around.” A big draw of the 5K, he adds, is that racers can come out and enjoy themselves during the run and then participate in ChesterFest.

“I have to say, I’m really excited about the 5K,” Endries says. “Last year was the inaugural year, and the community was supportive enough and gave us enough positive input that we’re able to do it again. It’s meaningful that it’s the only 5K that I’m aware of that’s tied into a community event such as ChesterFest, especially in the Chester area.”

The second annual ChesterFest 5K will begin on September 13 at the Lee St. Rite Aid at 8:30 a.m.

ereel@villagepublishing.com | 751-0421

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