Annual Santa Claws 5k Fun Run/Fitness Fair set Dec. 8 at Idaho State University; proceeds go to new Jacquelyn Paulson Memorial Scholarship

Idaho State University Department of Sport Science and Physical Education (SSPE) will host the fourth annual Santa Claws 5k Fun Run and Fitness Fair on Dec. 8 at Reed Gym from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

This year's event will continue the giving tradition by equally donating all proceeds of the fun run to the ISU Bengal Athletic Boosters and the new Jacquelyn R. Paulson Memorial Scholarship.

"The tragic accident that led to the loss of Jackie left ISU stunned and saddened," student event director Jeff Struhs said.

"Our class wants to honor her by offering an opportunity in something she loved," he continued. "Jackie will continue to benefit the track program through the scholarship we set to create."

Festivities kick off with the Fitness Fair for one hour starting at 8:30 a.m., followed by the Kids 1k at 9:30 and finishing with the Adult 5k at 10:30 a.m.

Come show how healthy and fit you are at the Fitness Fair where you can catch up on the recent tips and trends in the health industry to improve your health or have your athletic ability and endurance tested by well-educated SSPE students.

The Kids 1k will be run around the former Cadet Field and the Adult 5k will be run along the paved Red Hill footpath. All snow and ice will be cleared for the safety of our participants.

Be sure to stick around for all of the post race festivities including a prize raffle, great food donated by our generous sponsors, and a meet and greet with several ISU student athletes from a variety of your favorite sports teams.

You may register at www.active.com, keyword: Santa Claws 5k. Event fees are $10 per child to enter the Kids 1k and $20 per adult for the Adult 5k.

"This event is a great way to get the community involved with ISU," Struhs said. "It should be fun to see everyone come out and enjoy themselves."

This event is being coordinated by the soon-to-be graduated students of the SSPE department as part of a capstone project and is being advised by Assistant SSPE Professor Caroline Faure and Adjunct Instructor Elaine Foster.

The Santa Claws Fun Run has been hosted by the ISU SSPE department for the past four years and has raised money for Tyson's Brave Battalion and the Southeast Idaho Special Olympics in addition to the ISU Bengal Athletic Boosters.

The students of PE 4454 would like to thank Idaho Central Credit Union and other sponsors for their contributions. Without them, this event would be impossible to organize and conduct.

If you have any questions about this event, contact Jeff Struhs at Strujeff@isu.edu or promotions coordinator Carl Kuznicki at Kuzncarl@isu.edu.

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