Fincher youth run set for May 15

— The 13th annual Kendrick Fincher Youth Run will be Saturday, May 15, at the Pinnacle Promenade.

Commemorating the life of Kendrick Fincher of Rogers, the event features runs for kids ages kindergarten through 14. The event will immediately follow the Fincher 5K run, set for 7:30 a.m. The youth run will consist of a half-mile run for younger kids and a mile walk/run for older kids.

There is no cost for kids to participate in the event. All pre-registered runners are guaranteed a free T-shirt along with a goodie bag. There will also be games and activities for the runners to participate in after the race as well as refreshments.

Pea Ridge teacher John McGee is organizing a local contingent of youth runners to participate in the event and is pre-registering kids.

McGee has the forms to fill out andreturn at school.

“This is a fun event and I have been to most of the 13 races that they have held.” McGee said. “I encourage kids to run and pursue fitness, as it will greatly influence the quality of life they have as they grow older.”

McGee is conducting workouts twice a week to prepare the kids for the race, meeting tomorrow at 4:15 behind the primary school. There will also be a practice run this Saturday morning at 8 a.m.

Kendrick Fincher was an eighth grade athlete at Rogers in 1995 when he collapsed during the first day of fall football drills and died 17 days later. His family began a foundation to educate the public about the importance of hydration in hot weather and the need for physical fitness.

McGee can be contacted at the school at by e-mail at [email protected] or after 7 p.m. at 381-7412.

Sports, Pages 8 on 04/28/2010