Art and Fitness Combine this Weekend

The world of Art and Fitness collide this weekend and the result is  a great mix of running/walking and performances as the 3rd Annual Race for the Arts takes place on Saturday at the Fort Fraser Trail. The Polk Arts Alliance (PAA) will host the Third Annual Race for the Arts along Fort Fraser Trail – a 7 ¼-mile-paved walking, jogging and bicycling trail stretching from Lakeland to Bartow. Don’t worry though, you don’t have to run the entire 7.25 miles of the trail. It is only a 4-mile run/walk. Registration for the event begins at 7 a.m. and the race begins at 8 a.m.

The event will begin and end in the grassy area near the U.S. 98 entrance to the Lakeland campus of Polk Community College. The entry fee is $15 for adults, $10 for students in grades 9 – college, and $5 for youth, grades 1 – 8. All registered participants will receive a t-shirt and goody bag, with the overall male/female awarded $500; 2nd place overall, $250; 3rd place overall, $150 and the masters overall $100. The first three finishers in each five-year age division with receive a trophy. All other participants will receive a ribbon.

This year the race will include performances along the race course, so you don’t even have to bring your iPod for music to motivate you. Local artists from all over the county will be stationed throughout the race course with performances, music and art exhibits. Participants can register up to the day of the event and find out more information on the following websites: www.active.com, www.centralfloridasports.com, www.lakelandrunnersclub.com and www.polkartsalliance.org.

Start stretching now.