STEPSCenla second annual 5K Color Run to be held Sept. 17

The STEPScenla 5K Color Run will start at 8 a.m. this Saturday (Sept. 17) in downtown Marksville.

    STEPS stands for “Striving to Ensure Pediatric Survival.” The event is a fundraiser to aid local and area children with terminal or catastrophic illnesses, and to assist their families. It also benefits St. Jude Research Hospital.
    Eight area “heroes,” children who will benefit from the organization’s efforts are: Hope Rylee Jeansonne, age 9 of Hessmer; Hope Dupont, age 4 of Plaucheville; Patrick Piazza, age 7 of Simmesport; Daisy Lachney, age 13 of Marksville; Vince Correro, age 5 of Bunkie; Aiden Tauton, age 4 of Monterey; Kaley Liotta, age 13 of Pineville and  Kylie Bush, age 10 of Pineville. 
    Participants may attend “Pre-Packet Pickup” on Friday (Sept. 16) at the Marksville Fire Station at 1512 N. Main St. to avoid waiting in lines on race day. To pick up race day items, anyone 18 and older will need a photo ID and a signed waiver. Packets for  others can be picked up if the person picking up the packet has a signed waiver for each runner and a copy of the runner’s driver's license. Children under 18 must have a waiver signed by a legal guardian.  
    The Starting Line Jam Stretch workout will be held prior to the race with music, dancing, stretches and “colorful happiness,” an event spokesperson said.
    The 5K Course starts at 8 a.m. with opening ceremonies, followed by wave releases. Waves will leave every 10 minutes until all participants are on the course. 
    The STEPScenla 5K course will follow a 3.2 mile route, starting and ending at the Avoyelles Parish Courthouse. Along the route, runners will be able to grab a tasty breakfast snack compliments of the STEPScenla Breakfast Bar.
    The Finish Line Block Party kicks off at 9:30 a.m. and the celebration continues until noon with color explosions counted down every 15 minutes until all color supplies are exhausted. 
    Late online registration cost is  $40 for a team member and $45 for an individual through Sept. 15. Late registration does not guarantee race day items. Also, the limited number of large-size race day shirts will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Late in-person registration will be Sept. 16 during Pre-Packet Pickup, from 5-8 p.m. and on race day from 7-9 a.m.
    The registration fee includes: back/tote bag, white color run T-shirt, one color packet and “extra goodies.”
    Extra color packets can be purchased online, at Pre-Packet Pickup, at late registration and on race day for additional color fun. 
    Registration for children under 5 is free, but registration items are not included. They can be purchased on race day. To register go to steps-cenla.org.