On April 27, 2024, the City of Houston will once again host a 5K the morning of the Emmett Kelly Festival. It will begin and end at the Lone Star Plaza at First and Pine.
Registration for the race begins at 8 a.m. with 5K starting at 9 a.m. Registrations can be picked up at City Hall or downloaded from the city website, houstonmo.org.
Costs for the race, which includes a t-shirt, is $25 until March 31, $30 until April 12 and $35 from April 13 to race day with no guarantee of shirt availability after the 12th to race day. Fun Run for kids will be immediately after the 5K and cost is $10 through April 12 and $15 from April 13 to race day.
There are many prizes for the 5K and fun run. $100 cash prize to fastest female runner and male runner. Prizes for fastest female and male in age categories including children. And, of course, a nice prize for best dressed clown.
Kayla Gaston is the lead volunteer for the 5K this year.
“One thing I know to be true is we are meant to be connected. We grow through what we go through. Running is most sport’s punishment. When you can fall in love with running, you will have an advantage in all aspects, at every age and stage of life. I believe that. I can remember screwing up in practice at high school and my coach telling me to go run. I would tell myself that in that process, I was becoming a better runner, but I was not getting better at the skill I had failed at. Track and field was my favorite, and highest achievement sport. I love the pain I feel in my legs and lungs when I run – knowing it’s temporary – knowing I can control it. The feeling at the finish, of any and all races I have ever done, is what lasts forever. It’s what keeps us signing up for more.”
For questions about the 5K, please contact Kayla Gaston at 417-254-0341 or beeboxcrossfit@gmail.com