By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Each year, the Ellinwood Chamber of Commerce spends months and months preparing for the biggest party of the summer: the Ellinwood After Harvest Festival. The 53rd annual event runs from July 16-18 this year. Ellinwood Hospital & Clinic is again sponsoring the 5K Family Fun Run & Walk. Foundation Director Kristy Rupe said the event returns to Friday evening on July 17 where participants can join other After Harvest activities.
“You had the band going, you had the games out in front of 10-39, you had the food trucks,” she said. “It was just a really fun, family-friendly environment down there. A ton of the 5K runners stay there and hang out and participate in those events.”
Registration is $35 for ages 13 and up, $25 for ages 6-12, and free for ages five and younger. Race-day registration is $40. The first 100 registered runners will receive a free swag bag. Participants who turn in their bib will receive a free snowcone or ice cream sundae courtesy of 10-39 Treats. Participants of all ages and abilities are welcome.
“Anyone and everybody can come and go as fast or slow as they want,” Rupe said. “To sign up, head to our website, Ellinwooddistricthospital.org, and click on the 5K banner at the top of our homepage, or you can go directly to runsignup.com and search Ellinwood AHF 5K, and register there.”
Paper registration is also available by contacting Rupe at Ellinwood Hospital & Clinic. Race check in is Friday, July 17 at 6 p.m with race time at 7 p.m. Registrations will be accepted until about 10 minutes before race time. The awards ceremony begins at 8 p.m. with trophies handed out to winners of their age groups. Race packets will be available for pick up from 5-7 p.m. on the lawn of 10-39 Café at First and Main.