ANOTHER ROAD RUN FOR RIPON

We are sure seeing our share of road runs and bike races, which is great for the community, and this run helps a great cause:
RC2 Half Marathon in Ripon April 25

The fifth annual Ripon College/Ripon Community (RC2) Run/Walk will take place Saturday, April 25. All proceeds benefit the Ripon Area United Way and local Kiwanis clubs.

Participants can choose from a half-marathon, 10K and 5K races. There is also a free Kids' Race for children under 10 years old.

Each race will begin and end at Ripon College's Storzer Physical Education Center and wind through the city of Ripon. The 10K and half marathon courses also extend to the surrounding countryside.

A $15 registration fee is required for the 5K, $20 for the 10K, and $25 for the half marathon. There is also a family rate, where all members of an immediate family can register for a flat rate of $35. T-shirts are included in the registration fee. Registration forms are available online at www.ripon.edu/RC2.

Joe Hatcher, professor of psychology at Ripon College, founded the event in 2004 as part of a class he teaches on motivation. Students who are training for the race this semester are enrolled in an exercise science class taught by Jack Christ. Every year students utilize the theories of motivation taught in these courses as they train for the event. Christ has 33 students enrolled in his class this semester, but the participation of United Way and Kiwanis signals a growing community involvement as well.

"In addition to having more runners from across the area this year, we'll also be approaching local businesses for their help in supporting the United Way and Kiwanis," Hatcher added.

Organizers will approach local businesses with options to sponsor runners at rates of 25 cents to several dollars per mile.

"Given the great programs supported by the Ripon Area United Way, we wanted to give their 2009 campaign a running start," Hatcher said.

Jack Christ, professor of leadership studies and exercise science at Ripon College, Chris Schattschneider, sports medicine coordinator at the Ripon Medical Center, Amanda Knutson, a senior at Ripon College and the Ripon College Office of Community Engagement are collaborating to plan the event.

For more information or to register, visit www.ripon.edu/RC2 or contact the Office of Community Engagement at (920) 748-8153.