Piggy-backing off the success of last year's inaugural event, "Round the Hills" organizers are hoping to have even more participate in the 2.5K and 5K run-walk and a kids fun run Oct. 13.
The event will be held at 9 a.m. at the the Williamsport Area High School cross-country course.
The run-walk is organized by a group of Round Hills teacher and parents, the high school cross country team, the Class of 2014 and the Technology Club.
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The first “Round the Hills” 2.5K and 5K run-walk and kids fun run was held last year. This year’s event will be held at 9 a.m. Oct. 13 at the the Williamsport Area High School cross country course.
Melissa Lundy, race director, explained that the Round Hills Elementary School parent-teacher organization chose an active event in order to encourage the community to be physically fit.
"The purpose of the event is to involve kids, teachers, families and the community in getting physically active," Lundy said in an email.
And the group is continuing the theme of staying fit with how it plans to spend part of the entrance fee from the event.
"Our committee plans to give a majority of the proceeds to help fund and equip the (high school) Fitness Center project," she said. "The new fitness center will promote a healthy lifestyle for our (district) students, as well as our community."
Other proceeds will go to the school's PTO and the district's Education Foundation.
With the school set to close at the end of the school year as part of a district-wide reconfiguration, Lundy also said the PTO hopes to have some of the money follow the students to whichever buildings they attend next year.
Lundy said that there was a range of experience and skill levels from those who participated in in last year's event and she hopes that this year, the community will come out and show their support, whatever their fitness goals may be.
She added that as long as participants are moving, that's all that matters.
"Anyone can make a personal goal to participate," Lundy said. "Some may want to run or walk the 2.5K with their children, grandchildren or their students. Others may want to walk the course with a friend or cheer on their youngsters as they dash across the field in the 50-yard kids fun run."
Lundy said the event had about 200 participants last year and the committee has the goal of getting 300 this year.
After the school closes, Lundy said she hopes that another group in the district will continue to host the event.
"We have a good thing going and I would hate for our mission of motivating kids to lead healthier lifestyles to end," she said.
Snacks and awards will be given out after the event.
New this year, participants will get their photo taken after the race and have it emailed to them.
Early registration for the event is happening now and ends Sept. 21.
The cost during early registration is $15.
The fee jumps to $20 after that date. The kids fun run is free.
Those wanting to register can do so by going to the district website at www.wasd.org or by picking up a brochure at any of the school district's buildings.
