DECATUR — A 5K "Run and Walk for the Talk" will take place Saturday, June 22, at Nelson Park in Decatur.
"The event is a fundraiser for WDCR 88.9 local Catholic radio in Decatur," said Natalie Beck, who is co-race director with her husband Matt Beck. WDCR is a listener-supported Relevant Radio station which went on the air May 25, 2011.
Interviewed about three weeks before the walk/run, Beck said about 105 people had registered for the event, including Bishop Thomas John Paprocki, diocesan Vicar General Msgr. Carl A. Kemme, and Sister JoAn Schullian, OSF, pastoral associate of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Decatur.
Bishop Paprocki and Msgr. Kemme will run the race and Sister JoAn will walk, Beck said. Additionally, Father John Burnette, pastor of Ss. James and Patrick Parish, Decatur, will be the bike lead on the course.
"Bishop Paprocki will be our special guest as he is offering the blessing and participating in the event," said Beck, who along with her husband, is a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. The bishop will offer the blessing at 8 a.m. and the race/walk will begin at 8:30 a.m. Decatur Mayor Mike McElroy will also be participating in the opening ceremonies.
Beck said the event should be impressive, from start to finish. "The Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Father Jeremiah Murphy Assembly honor guard from Decatur Council #577 will be presenting an archway of swords as our unique start line for the event," she said.
Registration fee for the race is $25 per individual. Children 10 and under are free with a paid parent. "We have several families with four or more members participating together," said Beck. "We are hoping for 175 participants in our first year of hosting this event. Currently our youngest participant registered is age 5 and our oldest is age 80."
The event will be chip timed. For those who are running, the first two places in each division and overall male and female winners will receive awards.
All participants will earn a cross medallion after crossing the finish line. "The medallions will be distributed by the St. Teresa High School cheerleaders and their coach Amy Gagnon," Beck said. "Sister Jocelyn Serwatka (a Hospital Sister for 70 years) will also be distributing medallions, which are sponsored by Team Soy." (Team Soy is comprised of Soy Capital Bank & Trust and J.L. Hubbard Insurance & Bonds.)
There is still time to register for the event, Beck said. Participants can register online at www.active.com or can print the registration form off the WDCR website at www.wdcrradio.com and mail it in. St. Mary's Hospital in Decatur is the host sponsor for the race and packet pick-up will be held there June 21 from 5-7 p.m. at the hospital's main entrance.
Mailed registration forms are due by June 15. The www.active.com registration is open until June 19 and participants can register at Nelson Park June 22 between 6:30-7:30 a.m.