Volunteers Needed for 2011 Kentlands/Lakelands 5K

You can’t run away from this event.

Registration is now open for the 18th Annual Kentlands/Lakelands 5K Run/Walk to be held on Sept. 3, starting at 8 a.m. near the Kentlands/Lakelands Market Square Plaza.

Kentlands Community Foundation (KCF), the organizer of the event, is seeking participants, sponsors and volunteers to be part of this long-standing community tradition — the largest 5K event in Montgomery County.

Prospective participants for the 5K Run/Walk may register online or mail-in for a $26 fee until Aug. 15. Rates increase to $30 on Aug. 16, and Race Day registration rates are $40. Registration will be limited to the first 1,500 entrants.

The 5K course (USATF certified) winds its way through the beautiful backdrop of the Kentlands and Lakelands communities, while cheering residents and crowds line the streets to spur the runners on.

To make the 5K a special family fun day, there are also two Kids Fun Runs — a Toddler Trot for ages 5 and younger and a Kid’s Dash for ages 6 to 14. Registration for the kids' events is $12.

Sponsors are needed and welcome for this fundraising event that attracts more than 4,000 race-day participants to “downtown” Kentlands each year.

KCF donated 50 percent of last year’s net proceeds to three community charities.

“The other 50 percent went to fund KCF efforts like the Children’s Chorus, Go Green Group and Kentland’s Film Society,” said Carrie Dietz, director of the foundation.

Plenty of volunteers will be needed, so sign up now online.

“It takes a lot of people to run this 5K,” said Karen Palman, Kentlands resident and a former volunteer organizer. “We need course marshals and help at the registration desk.”

Student volunteers can earn service learning hours; they’ll get a T-shirt, breakfast on race day and an invitation to a special 5K Volunteer Thank You Party.

“What’s more,” Palman added, “the volunteers have an awful lot of fun."