Projo Running Blog

The men's and women's winners - who last year were the husband-and-wife team of Mark Carroll and Amy Rudolph -- will earn $1,500 for their efforts, while the top male and female masters will each receive $150, just a handful of the prizes to be awarded from a $7,300 purse.

In addition to the 5K run, the Metals Recycling 5K will feature a 2-mile walk and a series of youth races with all events starting and finishing at Johnston High school on Atwood Ave (Route 5).

The kids' races, to be held on the high school track, will kick off the day's activities, following this schedule: 10-and-under Girls 1/4-mile race, 9; 10-and-under boys 1/4-mile race, 9:10; 11-14 Girls 1/2-mile race, 9:20; 11-14 Boys 1/2-mile race, 9:30.

The 5K and 2-mile walk will both start at 10, with the 5K consisting of an out-and-back loop on Atwood Avenue and the walk passing through War Memorial Park.

The 5K route ``creates an exciting atmosphere, as all runners get a chance to see the world-class international runners on the course as the leaders head back to the finish,'' said race organizer Julian Angelone.

A corporate team competition and a Firefighters vs. Police Challenge should also make things interesting.

In what has got to be a first for a road race, the Metals Recycling 5K will also feature a pizza stop, stocked with Ronzio Pizza, along with the regular water stops.

The 5K and 2-Mile walk cost $22 on race day. Youth races cost $10.

Race proceeds will benefit Project LEARN, a non-profit adult literacy agency established in 1984 to provide literacy programs for adult learners with limited reading, writing, conversational English and math skills, and often learning disabilities.