The annual Miles in Martinsville Light Up the Night 5K is set for Saturday, Dec. 10.
Sponsored by the Martinsville-Henry County Family YMCA, the event will be held at the Smith River Sports Complex and will start at 4 p.m. The cost is $10 per person.
YMCA Sports Director Courtney Jones Hairston said the 5K has been going on for over four years.
While it is open to all community runners, the race also is for the YMCA’s Youth in Motion program.
“We have a youth program at several elementary schools where they work on running aspects as well as incorporate activities with our YMCA character values. So, they practice throughout the season, and they celebrate that season by participating in the 5K,” she said.
Hairston said about 100 children will participate in the 5K to celebrate the Youth in Motion season.
While the number of participants varies depending on the event, Hairston estimates around 150-200 people signed up for the Light Up marathon. As of Nov. 29, 224 people were registered.
The Light Up Like Liz, a 5K walk/run, will also occur in conjunction with the race.
Hairston said it’s in honor of Elizabeth Coglitore, a Collinsville native who passed away in October.
“If an individual in the community has passed away” we are “letting the family members choose an organization that’s local that is important to their loved one they lost and we’re donating half of our proceeds to that specific organization that the family would like,” she said.
Hairston said Coglitore’s family chose to donate the funds to the Bassett High School girls’ soccer team. “She was a really good soccer player in high school,” she added.
Registration is available online at the Miles in Martinsville website, www.milesinmartinsville.com/races/girls-fall.cfm.
Paper registration is also available at the YMCA.
Those wishing to donate can do so in person, or online during registration.
For more information, go to Facebook.com/MilesinMartinsville.
