New addition of Kids Korral adds to the family-friendly event
The Greater Whitewater Committee will feature its 2nd annual Discover Whitewater Series half-marathon, half-marathon relay and 5K events on Sunday. In conjunction will be Working for Whitewater’s Wellness (W3) Fit Kid Shuffle – a free, one-mile fun run geared for kids 12 years old and younger.
Along with providing opportunities to young runners, the Discover Whitewater Series is a series of events that caters to runners of all ages.
Race start times will be as follows:
• 7:57 a.m., Half Marathon Wheelchair Division
• 8 a.m., Half Marathon (self seed start) and Half Marathon Relay
• 8:10 a.m., 5K Wheelchair Division
• 8:15 a.m., 5K
• 9:45 a.m., W3 Fit Kid Shuffle
To ensure that all members of the family have an opportunity to participate in this year’s series, there will be a Kids Korral – thanks to a combined effort of DWS and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s College of Education and Professional Studies.
The Kids Korral will feature UW-W students and volunteers in education who will be available to watch kids in a safe environment (12 years old and younger) while parents and caregivers participate in the half marathon or 5K.
Offered as a free service to any adult registered for the Discover Whitewater Series, volunteers for the Kids Korral will have completed a background check and be managed by Dr. Robin K. Fox, chair of UW-W’s College of Education and Professional Studies.
While online registration for all of the DWS-related events closed Wednesday, on-site registration will be available Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 20 and 21.
Perhaps the best part of the DWS is that all proceeds from the series will support the following five local organizations: Whitewater Unified School District (for academic excellence,) Bethel House, UW-W Athletics, W3 and the Whitewater Aquatic Center.
Event organizers encourage spectators to stand along the route and cheer on participants as well as attending pre/post-race events, all of which are open to the public.
On race day, Sunday, the Whitewater Kiwanis Club will host its Pancake Day event at Whitewater High School from 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance from any Kiwanis member for $5 while the at-the-door donation is $6 (pre-school children eat for free.)
It’s important to note that spectators will not be allowed on the track or the finish line area. Those wanting to view the finish and cheer on runners at the end of the events are welcome to do so from the bleachers adjacent to the finish line (behind the fence) or on the bleachers near the press box.
Post-race events, located adjacent to Whitewater High School on Elizabeth Street will include: family-friendly activities such as a rock-climbing wall, obstacle course, live music with Titan Fun Key, food, Octoberfest Beer from Randy’s Fun Hunters Brewery, wine from Staller Estate and more.
To view road course maps, road closure information, parking availability on race day and locations of the shuttle service, visit runwhitewater.com or send an email to Traci Wilson, assistant race director at info@runwhitewater.com.
