Road Race Benefits Youth Challenge

A Westlake tradition continues Saturday morning as the is held.

The event is a major benefit for , which helps disabled young people get into sports and other physical activities.

Melissa Thurstone, community development manager for Youth Challenge, said that between registration fees and sponsorship, Race Day raises more than $10,000 for the organization each year.

About 300 runners have signed up for the 5K road race, which gets underway at 9:15 a.m. Many Youth Challenge members, and teen volunteers, are expected to participate in the race and the 1-mile run-walk, which starts at 10 a.m.

Race-day registration begins at 8 a.m. Race-day registration is $20, and $10 for those 18 and under.

Clemens Road east of Crocker Road will be closed for the race at 8:45 a.m.

The race course has been reveresed since last year, said Elyse Underwood of Hermes Sports & Events. Check the attached map for this year's route.

Both the 5K and 1-mile run-walks start at . Hyland Software representative Megan Klingshirn said that the building will be open so particpants and their supporters can use the restrooms.

The race is run in memory of Dave Hardman, who served on the Youth Challenge Board from 1987-1990, including two years as president. He died in 1996.

Hardman's wife, Lucille, comes to the race each year, Thurstone said. About nine Hardman family members are expected to be at Saturday's race.