Library hosts 5K event

Published 10:13 pm Monday, August 1, 2016

With the Olympics just around the corner, the North Suffolk Library is trying keep the community active. The library will host its first annual “Book It!” 5K and one-mile fun run on Saturday.

“We’re excited to see the turnout,” Angie Sumner, marketing and community relations coordinator for Suffolk Public Library, stated in an email. “We’d love to see some race newbies, as well as veteran runners join in.”

The race will begin at 9 a.m. and will be followed by the closing ceremony of the library’s summer challenge program and Festival of Nations.

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To date, 135 participants have registered online for “Book It!” and more are expected as the week progresses.

The theme of the library’s challenge program was “read for the win,” to coincide with the upcoming Summer Olympics. The challenge welcomed participants of all ages, and it encouraged them to keep their minds and bodies active during the summer.

Since June, the program required participants to log their reading and to complete mini-challenges such as attending library events, visiting museums, eating healthy and exercising. For each challenge, participants won prizes.

On Saturday, the program will conclude with a bike raffle.

The Friends of Suffolk Public Library, Obici Heath Care Foundation and several community sponsors helped fund and facilitate the challenge, according to Sumner.

During The Festival of Nations, once again tying in to the Olympics theme, attendees will get to try samplings of international foods, play international board games and watch international dance demonstrations.

Online registration for “Book It!” ended on July 31 but paper registration will be available at all of the city’s library branches through Aug. 5. There will also be on-site registration at the North Suffolk library the day of the race.

For more information and inquiries, email jsbrown@suffolkva.us.