On Saturday, the University of Charleston is celebrating Appalachia and health with the Rhododendron Run and Festival.
The event includes a 5k, half-marathon and a free festival from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the campus riverbank.
The half marathon starts at 8 a.m. and the 5k at 8:15 a.m. The half marathon is $80 for non-students, $15 for students or $40 for members of the armed-forces. The 5k is $25 for all.
Following the run is the Rhododendron Festival, but running isn't required to explore the festival.
"As race director, I certainly think about our races as fabulous running experiences, but really, these events are not just about miles, they highlight students, UC, our larger Kanawha Valley community and our local culture," said Hallie Dunlap, assistant professor of social studies and festival organizer. "This year we wanted to showcase our campus as a resource for the community beyond the half marathon and 5k."
This is the first year for the Rhododendron Festival.
Ron Sowell & The Killer Tomatoes and Vinyl Village with Mark Brad will perform live music.
A selection of West Virginia microbrews will be sold. Runners 21 years of age or older with a valid ID who registered for the half marathon or 5k will receive a free beer upon entry to the festival.
Lunch will be served at $8 for an advance ticket or $10 at the door. Vendors will be on site selling crafts, maple cotton candy and kettle corn. Children may play in a bouncy house.
The runs began two years ago as a resource for local runners, Dunlap said.
"UC students noted that West Virginia vies for the most obese and sedentary state in the U.S. and, sadly, has one of the lowest life expectancies," she said. "Running is democratic - almost anyone can do it (albeit at different speeds) and it merely takes some comfortable clothes and a pair of sneakers to get started. We wanted to promote running as a way to fight these alarming trends."
Proceeds from the runs in the past were used for hiring music talent, sponsoring students to attend the CreateWV conference to learn about strategies to grow the state economically and socially, and to support a program to train local school children to complete the 5k event.
For more information or registration, visit www.uchalfmarathon5k.com/
Reach Anna Taylor at 304-348-4881,
anna.taylor@wvgazettemail.com or follow @byannataylor on Twitter.