DOWAGIAC — The Dowagiac Rotary Club is gearing up to help out at the 12th annual Sandhill Crane All Trail races this Saturday at Dr. T.K. Lawless Park in Vandalia.

At the Dowagiac Rotary Club’s weekly Thursday meeting, Rotarians showed their enthusiasm for volunteering and helping at the event, which is directed by their fellow Rotarian Ron Gunn.

The run, which takes place at Lawless Park, 15122 Monkey Run St., Vandalia, will include a half-marathon, a 10K run and walk, a 5K run and walk, as well as a 1K kids’ fun run.

This year, the Friends of Cass County Parks, a nonprofit will be the race organizer alongside Gunn. The race will benefit the Cass County Parks and the Dowagiac Rotary Club.

“I’m really fired up for Saturday,” Gunn said. “Our registration is looking good. This is becoming a cracker jack event.”

At the meeting, Gunn brought with him a laser cut custom wooden medal, made in Cassopolis, that will be awarded to the top two finishers. Medals will be awarded for the third-place finisher in each age group as well.

Currently, Gunn said about 180 participants have already registered for the race. Next year, Gunn expects the race to really take off because a community organization has agreed to help with advertising.

At this year’s run, Rotarians will be volunteering at a number of different locations spread across the course dressed in their blue Rotary vests. Several Rotarians will also be helping at water stations and handing out fruit, including donated apples. 

Despite the predicted cold weather, Gunn said he is confident runners will show.

“The runners will be there,” Gunn said. “If you want to scare somebody, don’t pick on trail runners or marathon runners because they are a tough breed.”

Gunn said his advice to all his runners in bad weather is, “There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad dress.”

Gunn recommended Rotarians get prepared, grab some gloves and wear outdoor gear.

Also at the event will be a music DJ at the start and finish lines, along with two music stations on the course, which Gunn said will inspire participants.

Runners interested in racing can still register online at RunSignUp.com or manually on entry forms that will be available on the day of the race.

During the meeting, the Dowagiac Rotary Club also said farewell to Robin Mosier, who is leaving Dowagiac to take a new job in Portage. As a final goodbye, the Dowagiac Rotary Club officially inducted Mosier as a member of the Dowagiac Rotary Club.

Katie Marshall, Mosier’s niece, introduced Mosier to the Rotary.

“She started working at Forest Glen and wanted to get more involved in the community, so we brought her to Rotary,” Marshall said. “It was a fun time that we had her.”

Dowagiac Rotary Club President Melody Wallace invited Mosier to become a Rotarian during the induction ceremony, as Marshall pinned Mosier with a Rotary pin.

“I have heard many people say that Robin has added something to the Forest Glen faculties,” Wallace said. “She has added something to Rotary, too. She exemplifies the Rotary model, ‘service above self.’”