By By ANDY HAMILTON / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Squeeze in your final practice runs.
The Fourth Annual Human Race is back. The starting gun will fire at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, June 17, at Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve.
The Human Race is a combined effort between the Volunteer Center and Fernwood. But, Higgins said the goal of the event is to generate monetary support for non-profit agencies in the area unable to coordinate fundraisers on a large scale.
Participants in the Human Race can raise money for the non-profit agency of their choice by collecting contributions from family, friends and co-workers. The non-profit organizations will receive 90 percent of the collected money and 10 percent will go back to the Volunteer Center to cover costs, Higgins said.
Participants are not required to collect contributions. But, a pre-race registration fee - $18 for adults, $15 for ages 18 and under - or a $20 charge the day of the race is required for participation in the Human Race. Race day registration is from 7 to 8 a.m. at Fernwood.
More than 20 non-profit organizations are participating in 2006, including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Buchanan Senior Services, the Niles High School band and the Brandywine High School wrestling team.
The event caters to all ages, Higgins said. From the 1 mile funwalk and five mile walk, to the 5K and 10K runs. All four events start at Fernwood.
Both races and the 5K walk head out of Fernwood and go south on Range Line and east on to E. River Road, where the 5K run and walk turn around and follow the same route back.
The 10K will continue along the St. Joseph River and turn on to Mead Road, then head back along the original course.
The 1 mile funwalk takes place within the Fernwood grounds and follows a paved route accessible for strollers and wheelchairs.
Higgins also said the event will feature a computer-monitored finish courtesy of the Niles Optimist Club. And, the course is U.S.A. Track and Field certified, which means distance measurements are accurate and record-breaking performances are officially recorded.
First place male and female finishers in the 5K and 10K runs will be awarded with a one year family membership to Fernwood, which allows the winner and two guests full access to the nature preserve and botanical gardens for the year. Top finishers of age category in other events will receive awards or ribbons.
Those who wish to join the Human Race can pick up a registration form at the Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan, 1213 Oak St., Niles, (269) 683-5464. Or access a form online at www.volunteerswmi.org.