Jump Right In and Run this Sunday

STORM LAKE - Storm Lake Running Club's annual half-marathon race will start at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 5, at Sunrise Park Road between King's Pointe Lodge and Sunrise Golf Course.

The half-marathon and 5-K courses will follow the LakeTrail into Lakeside and the Bel Aire neighborhood where the course turns around and continues through Storm Lake and to the Emerald Park neighborhood where the runners will turn around and follow the path to the finish line at the Great Lawn near King's Pointe Waterpark Resort.

The running club asks Storm Lake drivers to watch and yield for the runners as they cross streets along the trail on Sunday morning. A course map is available at stormlakerunningclub.com/coursemap.html.

Registered runners of all three races -- half-marathon, half-marathon two-person relay, and 5-K -- have the chance to win an iPod shuffle donated by Taco John's. All registrants receive a goodie bag with samples and coupons from local business sponsors.

Jump Right In and Run is possible thanks to generous donations from local businesses, including: Storm Lake United, King's Pointe Waterpark Resort, Dr. Troy Ivey, Hamilton Law Firm, P.C., Trimark Physicians Group, Citizens 1st National Bank, Northwest Iowa Bone, Joint & Sports Surgeons, Buena Vista Regional Medical Center, Fitzpatrick Auto Center, Grand Central Coffee Station, Taco John's, Buena Vista University, State Farm Insurance, Hy-Vee, Buena Vista University Athletic Training, Tyson Fresh Meats, Sports Rehab Professional Therapy Associates, Fareway, Julius Cleaners, China House, Walmart, Brown's Shoe Fit Co., Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Homes, Wiebers Fitness, Kuehl & Payer Ltd., Dr. Daniel Douglas, DDS, Nicholson Physical Therapy, The Edge 97.5 FM KBVU, Anytime Fitness.

The donations and at least 100 volunteers help provide necessary items to make the event a success:

* 2 cases of bananas

* 60 directional signs

* 120 gallons of Gatorade

* 400 fresh-baked cookies

* 480 bottles of water

* 800 cups

* 1,000 safety pins

Winners of the races will be announced via the running club's Twitter and Facebook accounts and on stormlakerunningclub.com. To follow Storm Lake Running Club on Twitter, visit twitter.com/SLRunning. To become a fan on Facebook, search "Storm Lake Running Club."

Registrations are still being accepted for all three races; forms and fees can be submitted at the Storm Lake United office at 119 W. Sixth St., Storm Lake until 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 3. For a registration form, visit stormlakerunningclub.com.

Packet pick-up and final opportunity to register is Saturday, Sept. 4, from 5-7 p.m. at King's Pointe Lodge. Packets can also be picked up before the race on Sunday between 6:30-7:15 a.m. There is no race-day registration.