It's Not Too Late to Register for Black Squirrel 5K

More than 550 people are set to hoof it around the campus Saturday morning during the second annual Black Squirrel 5K sponsored by the Department of Recreational Services.

Greg Bailey, assistant director of Recreational Services, said 564 people ranging in age from 6 to 82 had registered for the event as of noon today.

While online registration is now closed, runners can still get in on the action by visiting the Pro Shop through Saturday. The entry fee is $30.

Bailey said the event has attracted runners from far and wide, with only about 20 to 30 percent of them being Kent State students. The largest group of registrants, by far, is the female 20-24 age group. Overall, the race breakdown is about 60 percent female, 40 percent male.

Click this link to see a list of those registered for the event.

The 8 a.m. race is a loop course through the Kent State campus that begins and ends in front of the wellness center. The state-of-the art facility offers plenty of parking, indoor registration, restrooms and locker room facilities.

After completion of the race, each runner can take advantage of a free breakfast buffet. Shortly after the final runners have crossed the finish line, an awards ceremony will be held for all participants.

Money will be awarded to the top three runners, and awards will be given to winners within each age group. All runners also will be entered to win an assortment of raffle prizes to be redeemed immediately following the race.

The event features a chip-timing system that electronically identifies runners. The system starts at the gunshot and processes results as runners cross the finish line.

"Because we're using chip timing, race results come in instantly so we will have them posted at the rec center right away and within an hour or two after the race we will have them posted on our website," Bailey said.

Bailey said he hopes to see participant attendance surpass last year's figure of about 600.

"We're within striking distance of that number. As of today, we're 10 behind where we were last year at this point," he said. “We continue to do the Black Squirrel 5K Race because it is consistent with our department’s mission of promoting healthy lifestyles.”

Cancellation policy: Entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable to another person, event or year. The Black Squirrel 5K Race will be held rain or shine.

Check In: Due to insurance limitations, headphones, baby joggers, inline skates, animals, etc., are not permitted. The Department of Recreational Services reserves the right to refuse any entry.

For more information about rules and regulations, visit www.kent.edu/recservices/blacksquirrel, call Bailey at 330-672-0463 or email him at gbailey@kent.edu.