Local race to benefit Hope Village

By By Will Bardwell / staff writer
Nov. 6, 2003
Scores of area runners will come together Saturday in Meridian for the third annual Run for Hope at Bonita Lakes.
The event will consist of three separate races. The first is a 10K, or 6.2-mile, trail run. The second race is a two-mile walk, and the third is a one-mile fun run for children ages 12 and under.
The trail run will begin at 9 a.m., with the other two events following.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Hope Village, a non-profit organization that provides treatment and residential care for abused children.
Kim Monsour, who founded the race in 2001, said she wanted to bring a long-distance race to Meridian. After meeting Hope Village founder Sela Ward, Monsour decided to create the competition as a fundraiser.
Awards will be handed out to the top three finishers in each of several age groups. The trail run has 12 male age divisions and 10 female ages. The two-mile walk is broken up into five male age groups and six female age groups, while the fun run has three age groups for both boys and girls.
Last year's Run for Hope had over 150 participants, and Monsour said she hopes to exceed that mark on Saturday.
Interested participants can register at Jeff Anderson Health and Fitness Center or online at meridianathletic.com.
The registration fee for the 10K run is $24. The cost is $22 for the two-mile walk, and $20 for the fun run.