AUBURN – Nearly 500 runners and walkers have registered for the L-A Bridge Run, the final round of the Greater L-A Triple Crown 5K Series presented by Maine Orthopaedic Foundation. The 5-kilometer (3.1 mile) event will take place Sunday, August 29 at 9 a.m. at the Rollodrome, 12 Riverside Drive.

The event is open to runners and walkers of all ages and abilities. Registration is $20 with transactions accepted online (www.triplecrown5k.com), through mail or in person at the Auburn-Lewiston YMCA. Registrations will also be accepted the day of the event beginning at 7:15 a.m.

The USA Track & Field certified course will begin and end on Riverside Drive in Auburn. It is moderately flat and includes a handful of bridges connecting Auburn and Lewiston.

A free Auburn Firefighters Kids’ Fun Run will precede the 5K at 8:15 a.m. No pre-registration is required, and each child will receive an award at the conclusion. The June 12 YMCA Fit Fest saw a series record 110 youngsters participate.

The Triple Crown is in its third year and drew a combined 1,816 entries in 2009. This year, the YMCA Fit Fest and Emily’s Run each hit race records with 603 and 601 entrants, respectively. Defending Triple Crown champions Will Shafer and Tina Meserve are in the top three in the standings, well within striking distance to defend their titles entering the Bridge Run.

Each 5K in the series offers chip-timing, refreshments, massage, awards and prize drawings. A new green initiative recycled water bottles, food compost, cardboard and clean paper. Compost is given to Lots to Gardens, a group that converts vacant city lots to neighborhood supported gardens that grow produce and flowers.

Funds raised through the Triple Crown will benefit community programs including various YMCA youth offerings; the Fletcher Foundation, which provides two college scholarships to ELHS students along with a donation to the Auburn Public Library; and the Lewiston/Auburn chapter of the Maine Outdoor Adventure Club, which will present scholarships to local teenagers for a variety of outdoor adventures.

There are still plenty of volunteer opportunities available including set up, course monitor and clean up. For more information, please visit www.triplecrown5k.com.


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