Wednesday Is Deadline For Run/Walk Sign-up

Save $5 and ensure a T-shirt by registering online now

BASS LAKE – If you’re planning to participate in the 25th annual Smokey Bear Run/Walk on Saturday, Sept. 25, you have until Wednesday to register online and save $5.

About six dozen different races for all ages and fitness levels will take place along the south shore of Bass Lake, starting at Recreation Point, 39900 Road 222 (South Shore Road). Races include a 2-mile “fun run,” a 2-mile walk, a 10K run (6.2 mi.) and races for children.Pre-registration by Sept. 19 is $20 for adults and $7 for children. If you wait until race day, you’ll need to be there early, and pay out $25 ($10 for kids). Everyone who pre-registers is guaranteed a 2012 event T-shirt.

Organizers are expecting around 600 people to take part in this year’s event.

The 2012 Smokey Bear Run/Walk is a 20-point Valley Runner of the Year Series race, according to race chairman Sheriff John Anderson.

Road 222 will be closed to all vehicles from 7:15 a.m. to 9:40 a.m.

Registration is from 6:45 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. Since organizers are expecting a record amount of entries, participants are encouraged to arrive earlier rather than later. No late entries will be accepted, and the first race begins promptly at 7:45 a.m.

If you’re a long-time participant in the Smokey Bear Run/Walk, and you saved your race T-shirts, you’re in luck. This year’s 25^th anniversary event will include a “Vintage Smokey Bear Run T-Shirt Contest.” The runner or walker who shows up wearing the oldest Smokey Bear Run/Walk T-shirt will be awarded a prize!

This year’s proceeds will benefit Cal Fire, U.S. Forest Service fire prevention programs, Madera County Sheriff Explorers Post 104, Madera County Search & Rescue and Yosemite High School’s cross country teams.

The first Smokey Bear Run was held on May 17, 1986, at the Pines Resort in Bass Lake. USFS employees Danny Jones, Patrick Lyng, Brian Curtis of North Fork, and Craig Pinkerton of Kingsman Flats organized that first event, to promote fire safety and awareness with the help of Smokey Bear.

Here is the race schedule:

7:45 a.m. – Kids Run ½ mile (Ages 9-12)
7:55 a.m. – Kids Run ¼ mile (Ages 5-8)
8:05 a.m. – Kids Run 1/8 mile (Ages 2-4)
8:15 a.m. – 2-mile Run/Walk
8:30 a.m. – 10K Run (no walkers)

Wheelchairs will start one minute ahead of runners.

For more information and registration forms visit www.smokeybearrun.com or call 559-683-1770.