YMCA Rhubarb Run offers a pre-race run on May 30

New for this year's Rhubarb Run is a pre-race to be held at 7:45 a.m. Saturday, May 30. Runners can run the course that day, one week prior to the real race on the morning of the Rhubarb Festival's second day, Saturday, June 5. The Rhubarb run starts at 8 a.m. for the 5-k and 9 a.m. for the little sprouts and one-mile fun run.

Registration forms for this year's Rhubarb Run can be found online at the Cornbelt Running Club's web site www.cornbelt.org. Racers still have time to get in on the lower entry fee, which ends May 16.

Entry fee is $14 prior to May 16 for the one-mile fun run or the 5-k race/walk. The Little Sprouts fee is $12 apiece. There is also a family rate of $46 for a family of four or more. After May 16 the price goes to $20 for each entry and the family rate will not be offered.

Last year we had around 160 runners, said Katina Livermore, Y program director. "Each year it seems to grow by about 25 runners," said Livermore "We would really like to be well over the 200 mark, if possible."

Trophies will be given to the first overall male and female in the one-mile fun run and the 5-K run.

First and second place medals are given to each male and female in each division in the fun run and 5-k run. In addition, fun runners will receive a participation ribbons. There will also be walk awards for the top two times. 

The race is for everything from the little sprouts all the way to the 5-k racers. The 5-k run walk Divisions are Little Sprouts (three, four and five year olds); One-mile fun run: for boys and girls six and under, seven to nine, and 10 to 13 years; 5-k run/walk for male and female ages 14 and under; 15 to 19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60 and older.

The race route is a scenic one in the southwest section of Aledo with the start at the Mercer County YMCA, 401 SW 2nd Ave. For more information or to register with a credit card, call the Y at (309) 582-5101.