Independent Health, Canisius to host 5K run

Independent Health and Canisius College will present the ninth annual Shoes For The Shelter 5K Run/Walk at noon Sunday, April 15 at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo.

Registration for the USATF sanctioned event will take place on race day at the Canisius College Patrick Lee Center, located next to the Koessler Athletic Center at the corner of Main and Delavan, from 9 to 11:30 a.m.

The Shoes for the Shelter 5K Run will be the third race in the newly created Triple Crown Series. The Chilly Challenge and Bengal 5K comprise the first two legs of the series. Runners must participate in all three races to be eligible for the Triple Crown Series. The winners of the series will be announced after the Shoes for the Shelter 5K Run.

Entry fee for adults is $18 pre-registration and $20 day-of-race, while the entry fee for children (14 and under) and Canisius College students is $10 pre-registration and $14 day-of-race. Canisius College faculty and staff can pre-register for $15 or for $20 on the day of the race. Two dollars of every entry fee will go toward the restoration of new trees at Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Before the 5K Run/Walk is the One Mile Fun Walk. Participants in the Fun Walk can enjoy a stroll around the Forest Lawn Cemetery beginning at 11:30 a.m. and take part in all the post-race festivities at the Patrick Lee Center.

Long-sleeve T-shirts are given to the first 400 registered participants and all runners are encouraged to turn in a pair of sneakers or shoes for the St. Vincent de Paul shelter on race day.

For information on pre-registration, contact John Maddock in the Canisius College Athletic Department at 888-2977 or e-mail him at maddock@canisius.edu.

Race packets can be picked up on April 13 (3 to 6 p.m.) and April 14 (noon to 4 p.m.) and after 9 a.m. on the day of the race.

A runner's Mass and runner's stretch will take place starting at 10:30 a.m. at the Patrick Lee Center leading up to the start of the race at 12 p.m.

Awards will be given to the first place male and female finishers overall and for the top three finishers in all age categories.

Age categories are as follows: 10 & under, 11-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69 and 70 & older. There will also be special awards for the top finishers of Independent Health employees and Canisius College employees, students and alumni.

A post-race party will be held beginning at 12:30 p.m. at the Patrick Lee Center with food and refreshments, while the awards ceremony is scheduled for 1:15 p.m.