It’s time to register and start training in preparation for the 6th Annual Rodeo Run at 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 1.

The 5K Race, 1 Mile Fun Run/ Walk, and Kid’s Short Course will start and finish in front of the Kansas Motorcycle Museum in downtown Marquette. The Rodeo Run is a Marquette Chamber of Commerce-sponsored event.

With different distances to pick from, people of all ages and abilities from near and far are encouraged to participate. Timer Guys of El Dorado will be back this year to provide chip timing for the 5K. Age group and top finisher awards will be given for the 5K race.

The 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk is a popular untimed and non-competitive event with many enjoying a morning stroll or some choosing to sprint.

Children ages 8 and younger are invited to run the Kid’s Short Course, which is two blocks long. All Kid’s Short Course finishers receive a small medal.

Registration fees are $25 for the 5K, $15 for the 1 Mile, and $15 for the Kid’s Short Course. Those registering by Friday, July 11, will receive a Rodeo Run race t-shirt. Please note this year that no extra shirts will be ordered for entries after July 11. Be sure to like the Rodeo Run page on Facebook to receive the latest details up until race day.

Online registration is also available at runsignup.com/race/ks/ marquette/rodeorunKansas.

Paper registration forms are available to print off of the Rodeo Run Facebook page, or can be e-mailed directly to you upon request. Paper registration forms will not be distributed in local businesses this year.

In light of recent COVID-19 related restrictions and recommendations, it was not clear until recently whether this event could go on as planned. Several adjustments will be

Several adjustments will be made this year to keep everyone safe but also allow the race to go on. Race expenses are being kept to a minimum for this event and there is a unique cancellation/ refund policy for 2020.

If this event is canceled before July 11 due to COVID-19-related restrictions, participants will be refunded most of their online registration money. The registration website will keep a small refund fee and also the initial processing fee that was paid at the time of registration. The Marquette Chamber of Commerce will not keep any participant registration fees.

If this event has to be canceled due to COVID-19-related restrictions after July 11, participants will not be refunded their registration fees or processing fees. After this point, Rodeo Run will have begun to incur large expenses and will need to retain registration fees. Participants will be given their race t-shirt and will be encouraged to run a virtual event at their own location and time of their choosing.

Sponsors are being sought to offset expenses for this event. The proceeds of Rodeo Run go back to the Marquette Chamber of Commerce to support future Marquette community activities and efforts to promote Marquette.

As always, several volunteers are needed on race day along the race course. You need not have running experience to help.

For questions about registration, to help by sponsoring or volunteering, or for more information, call Rodeo Run co-directors Betsy Patrick at (785) 227-5707 or betsy_larson@hotmail.com, or Kayley Fleming at (785) 218-9468 or kayleyjo14@gmail.com.