It’s no secret the Niles Community Gardens project has taken off over the past two years.
And organizers are hoping their first Run to Grow 5K benefit race next month will help the gardens grow even more. Mark VanTil, director of the Community Gardens, said the goal is to have a garden at every school in the Niles Community Schools district.
The event will take place 9 a.m. April 21, beginning at the amphitheater and will take runners across the Riverwalk Trail.
Registration begins at 7:15 a.m.
A one-mile fun walk will also take place.
Runners can register between now and April 16 at runrace.net. Race T-shirts are available to those who register by April 1.
Winning race times and awards will be announced following the race at the amphitheater.
The community gardens group is also seeking business partnership sponsors. To join the list of sponsor, contact Cathie Yoder or Lauren Thurston at (269) 683-2060.
“We hope to be able to host a great race that will bring runners into our community from all over southwest Michigan and northern Indiana as well as provide local running enthusiasts a hometown race,” Yoder said.
The money raised from the race will go toward supplies, equipment and maintenance of the community gardens.