Recycle Run set for July 4

The second annual Recycle Run is set for July 4 as part of an Independence Day celebration at Creekside City Park in Sisters.

Jena Rickards, a senior at Belmont College in Tennessee and recently returned from studies in Italy, is back in town for the summer and excited to be in charge of the race.

"We had a lot of fun putting on a local race last year and hope that the second year will attract even more runners and walkers to help raise money for Habitat for Humanity," she said.

The name "Recycle Run" derives from Habitat for Humanity's reputation for operating two highly successful shops, which specialize in offering reusable items for sale. In fact, the T-shirts offered for the run are all recycled shirts with the race emblem silk-screened onto them.

Things get underway early so that people have the rest of the day for all the other Fourth of July activities, which include the second annual Picnic in the Park at Creekside City Park (see related story, page 3).

Runners and walkers can choose from either a 5-kilometer (3.1 miles) or an 8-kilometer (4.9 miles) distance. Registration is available online at http://www.sistershabitat.

org for $15. Day-of-race registration is $20 and opens at 7 a.m. Entry fee includes a recycled one-of-a-kind T-shirt and refreshments. A prize drawing will take place following the race.

Rickards wants to see groups of friends or family all come together for the event, so she is offering $5 off the registration price for groups of four or more who register together.

"My mother, Julia, felt for years that Sisters was lacking any sort of opportunity for Sisters residents to get together on the Fourth of July, so she, Cindy Rainey, and Sharlene Weed of Habitat, along with others dreamed up this day as a benefit for Habitat for Humanity," said Rickards.

The 8-kilometer run will begin at 8:05 a.m. followed by the 5k run at 8:10 a.m. and all walkers at 8:15 a.m.

High Country Disposal signed on this year as a sponsor for the event.

The courses begin at Sisters Athletic Club, proceed onto the Peterson Ridge Trail system, and finish nearby at Creekside City Park.