Early registration ending soon for Bob Leonard 5k River Run

Early registration is open through Tuesday, Aug. 6 for the seventh annual Bob Leonard 5K Run/Walk and second annual Colonial Café Kids' Turtle Hurdle Obstacle Course. The event will be Saturday, Aug. 10, in Pottawatomie Park in St. Charles.

The 5K run is professionally chip-timed on a USATF-certified course along the Fox River into Timber's Park and back with an amazingly scenic finish line along the newly dedicated Jack Kerr Memorial Walkway. Medals and prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers in each age group in addition to Best Overall Time winners.

Starting at 8:05 a.m., the 3-mile walk route leads walkers along the river through downtown St. Charles into Mount St. Mary Park to view the "Sculptures in the Park" exhibition and projects that the River Corridor Foundation has supported. Families, pets and strollers are welcome on the walk.

Colonial Café's Kids' Turtle Hurdle obstacle course will be held for boys and girls, age 4-11. This multi-station course begins at 9:30 a.m. with practice runs prior. Kids will be able to “fish for prizes,” color their T-shirts and play games while awaiting their turn. All kids will receive a cool T-shirt, participation ribbon and a goody bag. Awards and prizes will be given to first-, second- and third-place finishers in each age category.

All three events take place in Pottawatomie Park, where a party at the grand pavilion continues throughout the morning. The festivities include live music provided by Jeff Leonard of Hartland, Wis., a wide array of refreshments with a pizza party sponsored by Aurelio's.

During the medal award ceremony held after the run, a raffle drawing will take place. One raffle ticket per $50 increment will be issued. Raffle entries into the prize drawing can be made in the amount of $50 by anyone wishing to support the River Corridor Foundation. Winners need not be present to win to one of the following prizes:

• 12-month family membership to Norris Rec Center

• Limited edition St. Charles Municipal Center building belt buckle created by Cityboy Forge

• $250 gift certificate to J.P. Jewelers

• One week accommodations in Breckenridge, CO. Fully-furnished 4 BR condo, sleeps up to 13

• One week accommodations in Kona, HI. Fully-furnished oceanfront 2 BR condo

Registration is available now at www.signmeup.com/90666. Event-day registration is also available at an increased rate.

This event is made possible through the generous sponsorships of: Colonial Café & Ice Cream, city of St. Charles, St. Charles Park District, Baird & Warner, Kane County Chronicle, The Beehive, Advanced Disposal, WBK & Associates, Kiwanis Club of St. Charles, Fox Valley Orthopedic, John Hoscheit, Pizzo & Associates, Gordon Flesch Company, Blue Goose Market, Aurelio's Pizza, First State Bank, Cityboy Forge, Arcedium Coffeehouse, Olympia Chiropractic, J.P. Jewelers, Button Man Printing and St. Charles Bank & Trust.

For more information about The River Corridor Foundation of St. Charles and the River Corridor Master Plan, please visit www.stcrivercorridor.org.