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24th Star Trax 5K Night Run kicks off Aug. 5 at Reilly Stadium

SALEM — Runners and walkers of all ages and abilities can challenge themselves and support Salem’s running athletes Aug. 5 during the 24th Star Trax 5K Night Run.

“We just want everybody to come out and participate,” race director John Scheets said.

Scheets serves as vice president of the Salem X-tra Mile Club and co-directs the race with club president and fellow race director John McClish. This is the club’s primary fundraiser, with proceeds used to financially support the cross country and track and field programs at Salem Jr./Sr. High School throughout the year.

“This is all for the kids,” Scheets said.

The event itself has become a neighborhood community tradition, one that he said people look forward to seeing and possibly taking part, whether as a runner, volunteer or one of the many residents along the 5K route who light the luminaries that guide the racers.

“The people are great,” he said.

Race volunteers drop off the candles and luminaries the night before and ask residents to set them up and light them or just leave them on a porch and volunteers will set them up. Volunteers are stationed along the route with safety kits and ways to communicate, either with cell phones or walkie-talkies, keeping watch over the racers. Salem Police provide an escort, the fire department is on hand and an ambulance brings up the rear as a precautionary measure.

The race kicks off with a lap around the track at Reilly Stadium, then heads into the city streets, traveling east on Pershing, then turning on South Union Avenue and going to Maple to Park Avenue, Ridgewood, Adams Avenue, back to Maple, then Jefferson Avenue, Oak Street to Park Avenue, west on Pershing, through Centennial Park, back out Oak to travel north on South Union Avenue, then hang a left onto Pershing and head back into the stadium for another lap.

Last year’s race featured more than 600 runners, some who ran the whole way, some who jogged, some who walked and some who did all three.

On race night, registration begins at 7 p.m. at Reilly Stadium and closes at 8:45 p.m., with the race starting at 9 p.m. The field can average between 700 and 800 runners. The non-refundable entry fee is $17 if received by July 28 and $20 for late registration and race-day registration. Online Registration is $17 at Gopher A Run and ends Aug 2. Racers are asked to bring their online receipt with them for confirmation. T-shirts are guaranteed to all participants pre-registered by July 24.

The race gives out 72 different awards, with the top three overall males, top three overall females, and the top three in each age group, with no duplication of awards. The age groups (same for male and female) include: 10 & Under, 11-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59 and 60 & over. The awards and post race party will follow the finish at Reilly Stadium. Awards, chip timing, scoring and online registration are provided by USA Track & Field.

Scheets said all the athletes in the cross country and track & field programs participate. The Salem X-Tra Mile Club is comprised of parents, volunteers and supporters of Salem Quakers cross country and track & field. Their sole purpose is to support the kids, whether that means paying for new uniforms, T-shirts or equipment or putting on a banquet and providing gifts to the seniors. Whatever they need, the club provides.

To learn more about the club, visit www.salemx-tramile.org or to register and learn more about the race, visit startrax5k.com.

mgreier@salemnews.net

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