Record breaking attendance is expected for this year’s Kewash Half Marathon, 10K and 5K tomorrow.

Over 500 runners are anticipated to take part in the eighth annual run that starts and finishes in downtown Washington, while also going past Sunset Park and using the Kewash Nature Trail. Proceeds from this year’s event will go to the Washington High School baseball, track, and cross country teams, the YMCA of Washington County, and local Girls on the Run and Let Me Run youth programs. Event Director Teri Hartzler shares why this run draws people from across the country, “I think what makes it really special is our community. We just have a community that bands together and wants to be able to showcase all the wonderful amenities that we have here in Washington, and we’re really proud of our trail that we have. And there’s just a lot of groups that are willing to work together to a common good because this race is able to donate funds to a lot of different community groups and we’re really proud to be able to do that.”

Those already registered are recommended to pick up their packet from 4-7 p.m. today at the Washington YMCA to alleviate congestion tomorrow, though registration will also be accepted from 6-7:45 a.m. race day. All races begin at 8 a.m., and the Y’s Men & Women’s group will be selling pork burgers and cinnamon rolls to raise funds for the YMCA’s youth programming. KCII will be providing the soundtrack to runners from 7:30-11 a.m. with our Big Red Radio.