This Saturday is the Suffolk Family YMCA’s 7th Annual Spring Stride Trail Race. I know that many of you are busily training to compete in either the 5K or the 1 Mile Fun Run or Walk. For those of you who haven’t turned in your registration forms, do it today. This is a fun, Y-style race and is a great event for both seasoned runners and new competitors.

The race is at Lone Star Lakes Park April 4. As you travel down Godwin Boulevard on the day of the race, watch for balloons and our own Lynn Cross-Hobbs, who always volunteers to be our traffic coordinator, at the turn off for the race.

Same-day registration begins at 8 a.m., followed by a pre-race stretch at 8:30 a.m. The 5K race begins promptly at 9 a.m. The race course winds through the beautiful park trails and allows you to commune with Mother Nature while competing.

There are 11 competitive divisions for the Spring Stride, beginning with ages 15 and under and ending with 60+. The age divisions are divided in 4-year increments. For example, men ages 20-24 will compete against each other in the race. We are presenting awards to the top three male and female finishers overall and the top three male and female finishers in each age group.

The 1-mile Fun Run or Walk begins at 10 a.m. This is a great family event, but because it is a trail race, we do not allow strollers, baby joggers or skates. We often have families who come to support a runner and end up walking in our 1-mile event. If you are planning to watch someone else compete in the 5K, I would encourage you to sign up for the 1-mile event. If you need a walking partner, just find me that morning, and I will gladly walk the trail with you.

There are two awards categories for the 1-mile Fun Run or Walk — ages 6-12 and 13 and up. Awards will be presented to the top three male and female finishers in each category. For more information about the Suffolk Spring Stride, contact our Member Services Desk at 934-9622 or visit our Web site at www.ymcashr.org.