AVONDALE, Arizona – The Veterans Club at Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC), in partnership with the City of Avondale, is sponsoring a ‘Fitness Fun Run’ on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2014, to raise funds for veterans’ scholarships.
The Fitness Fun Run is a new addition to Avondale’s annual Veterans Day Celebration, held at the Avondale Civic Center Ampitheatre, 11465 W. Civic Center Drive.
The three-mile run will offer boot camp stations every half-mile to provide more challenge, fun and fitness. The boot camp stations include timed push-ups and sit-ups, sand bag carry, tire flips, ammo can carry, medicine ball toss, and a dummy grenade toss finish. Modified versions of each workout will be provided for those who need to take it a bit easier, or runners are free to bypass stations if desired.
Race check-in begins at 7 a.m., with a start time of 8 a.m. The registration fee for the Fitness Fun Run is $25 for those who pre-register online at www.avondale.org/recreation by Nov. 10, and $35 on the day of the event.
As a way to inspire future EMCC college students, the Junior ROTC Cadets from Agua Fria High School and Westview High School were invited to participate as boot camp motivators.
After the race, the City’s festivities begin at 10:00 a.m., presenting music by JC and the Juke Rockers, a Veterans ceremony and picnic barbecue. The ceremony will include patriotic displays by local veteran groups, formal presentations representing all lines of military services, and performances by local community performers. The picnic is free for all race participants, and veterans and their families with military identification. Others are invited at a cost of $5 per person.
Net proceeds of the Fitness Fun Run will support the Ernest A. Lara Veterans Scholarship, created in 2013 to honor U.S. Military Veterans attending EMCC. Dr. Lara is the president of EMCC and an U.S. Army Veteran, having served with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam.
EMCC is a designated Military Friendly School.