47th Strawberry Strut set for June 6

HANCOCK COUNTY - Sign-up is currently open for the 47th  Strawberry Strut in Carthage on Saturday, June 6. The deadline is near  for participants to receive an event shirt, and for sponsors to get their names on those shirts.
The Strawberry Strut includes the classic five-mile run along the Carthage Lake. Other events in this year’s Strut are a 5K run, a 5K walk and a one mile fun run/walk.
Five mile and 5K participants who sign up by May 1 will receive this year’s t-shirt. One mile participants who wish to have a t-shirt must register online by May 1, and can purchase a shirt for an additional $5.  Those who register after May 1 will not receive a t-shirt.
 To sign up, go to runsignup.com/Race/IL/Carthage/StrawberryStrut or use the link on the Strawberry Strut Facebook page.
Participants can register on-line at the advance price until end of the day Friday, June 5. Race day registration  is available in person at 7 a.m. and will end at 7:45 a.m.  Those who have pre-registered can pick up race packets on Friday,  June 5, from 5  to 6  p.m. at the Hancock County Courthouse in Carthage, or after 7 a.m. the morning of the race. All race packets must be picked up by 7:45 a.m.
The fee for the five-mile run, the 5K run and 5K walk is $30 in advance, increasing to $35 on race day. The fee for the one-mile run/walk is $10, or $15 on race day.
Races start at the Hancock County Courthouse. Start times are staggered on the following schedule:
• 5-mile run – 8:15 a.m.

• 5K walk – 8:30 a.m.
• 5K run – 8:40 a.m.
• 1-mile fun run/ walk – 8:45 a.m.
There are three water stops along the course. Awards will be presented at around 10 a.m.
Race packets include many gifts from area merchants. Any business or group wanting to give items for the bags should call Kris Pilkington, 217-430-4724, or Joy Swearingen, 217-357-4989.
Proceeds from the race have been pledged to benefit Hancock County Fights Cancer, whose survivor event will be held this year at The Legacy Theater on Saturday, Sept. 26. 
Sponsors can help defray the costs of this event. Sponsors must sign on by May 1, to be listed on the t-shirt back with a logo ($500 sponsor) or by name ($250 sponsor).
Go to www.facebook.com/StrawberryStrut for a list of awards, for updates, or for the race sign-up link.