Written by: Jordan Barela

Get ready to lace up your shoes.

The VSU Community 5K Run/Walk is just around the corner. The race will take place at 7 a.m. on Saturday outside of the Student Union.

“The 5K started as a ‘welcome to the campus’ type of event and is now in its eighth year,” Katy Latevola, graduate assistant of special events and student development, said.

The course is a standard 5K, or 5,000 meters, which is 3.1 miles long. The race will begin and end behind the Student Union and will outline the main campus. Course markers will be displayed to direct runners during the race.

Refreshments such as bananas, apples and water will be offered during the event.

Prizes will be given out at the end of the 5K. A male and female first place award will be given to five age groups: ages 12 and under, ages 13-17, ages 18-29, ages 30-50 and ages 51 and up. Random prize drawings including Wild

Adventure tickets, book store certificates and gift cards for various restaurants in town will also be awarded to selected winners.

The annual 5K is important to not only the students but the community as well.

“It is important to offer this event to students because it gets them involved with the campus and the community, promotes a healthy lifestyle and also shows school pride,” Latevola said.

Pre-registration for the 5K will be held online and at the Campus Recreation building until the day before the race. Registration forms can also be turned in at the information table in the Student Union rotunda from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Happening attendees will also have an opportunity to sign up for the race at the Campus Recreation table today, from 1 to 4 p.m.

For VSU students and people between the ages of 10 and 17, there is a $12 pre-registration fee. Children under 10 are free. For everyone else, there is a $15 pre-registration fee. The cost for race-day registration, available at 6 a.m., is $20 for everyone. A T-shirt will be given to those who pre-register.

To register online for the 5k, apply at runsignup.com/Race/GA/Valdosta/VSUCommunity5K. For more information, contact the VSU Campus Recreation department at 229-333-5898.