Staff report

Get out your running shoes, walking shoes, or just comfortable strolling shoes and join Scotland Memorial Foundation on April 25 for a day of healthy exercise, play and food.

The Scotland Memorial Health and Fitness Festival is an event in which all members of the family can participate.

From the Kids Zone and 1-mile FUNd Run, to the half-marathon, organizers say there ís an event for everyone. Those that donít plan to run or walk that morning, can visit the exhibitors, local community agencies, or talk to the medical providers in the Ask the Doctor booth. Food vendors will be on site so bring your appetite along with your running or walking shoes.

The morning begins at 8 a.m. with the inaugural Scotland Memorial Classic half-Marathon. Runners will embark from Scotland Memorial's Community Health and Rehabilitation Center on their 13.1-mile running journey through historic downtown Laurinburg, Scotia Village, and around the campus of St. Andrews Presbyterian College. The course is flat, fast, and scenic with long straightaways for runners.

Local entertainment will be stationed along the course to encourage all the runners.

The original FUNd Run, which includes the 10K, 5K, and 1-mile fun run and walk, is still part of the dayís activities and begin immediately after the half-marathon runners have left the starting line. The route for these events also begins and ends at the Community Health and Rehabilitation Center.

For runners looking to improve race times or prepare for upcoming races, our professional race timing company, RMS Sports, has mapped all of our courses and approved them as USATF Certified. They will be on site throughout the day to manage the start and finish for each race and will use the ChronoTrack Timing System. Medals will be presented to top finishers in all age categories.

Moms and dads, bring the kids. The Kids Zone is free and offers pony rides, face painting, bounce houses and magic acts. All activities are supervised by adults. Get your child moving toward a healthy life. Enter them into the 1-mile FUNd Run.

To kick off the event and help our runners consume the carbs and calories they will need for Saturday's races, a pasta party is planned for Friday evening at 6 in the WR Dulin Conference Center. The supper is open to the public. The cost is $10 per adult/$5 per child. Advance registration is required.

Proceeds from the Ω marathon, 10K, 5K, and 1 mile walk/run will be used to support programs and services at Scotland Cancer Treatment Center.

Registering for the half-marathon, 10K, 5K, and 1 mile walk/run is easy. Visit www.scotlandhealth.org and click on the Foundation page for access to the Festival registration form. Early registration deadline is April 10.

For more information about the Festival, to receive a registration form, or to become a sponsor or exhibitor, contact Scotland Memorial Foundation at 291-7558 or visit the Foundation page at scotlandhealth.org.