AustinTalks (http://austintalks.org/tag/fitness/)
The first-place male finisher was Maxwell Crawford, 21, with a time of 19:12, while Lacey Fournier, 39, was the first-place female finisher, with a time of 22:24. Organizers will soon begin planning the sixth annual Austin POWER 5K.
Registration is still open for Saturday’s race – the fifth annual – and organizers hope to surpass 700 participants. Walkers and runners can register in person on Friday at 5840 W. Chicago Ave. until 5 p.m. and on race day beginning at 7 a.m. Loretto Hospital and Ald. Chris Taliaferro’s office are among the groups and businesses that will be fielding teams.
Organizers hope at least 700 people will participate in the fifth annual event, which kicks off in the heart of Austin the morning of Sept. 28. Registration is $35 per person, or $300 for a team of 10.
The park district – with several facilities in Austin – is offering monthly membership from $10 to $20. Three-month passes range from $30 to $60, and an annual pass is $100 to $225. There is also a free three-month fitness center program.
Patrons who purchase a fitness center membership (for a month, three months or annual) from March 18 to 24 will receive a complimentary water bottle and towel while supplies last.
The students at Leslie Lewis Elementary have been preparing for Saturday’s race each week by doing exercises and running laps in the halls as part of a Chicago Run program operated at the West Side school.
“This was a growth year for us,” said Malcolm Crawford, race organizer and executive director of the Austin African American Business Networking Association. “We’re looking for bigger and better next year. We got a lot of good experience this year, so we are looking forward to next year.”
The state-of-the-art fitness center center was built and funded by Optimum Nutrition and Lift Life Foundation.
“Free Fitness Week” runs from Jan. 8 through 14. Take a fitness class, work out in the gym, go for a swim or try a number of other activities on the West Side and throughout the city.
The free event, sponsored by West Side Men, Austin Weekly News and Loretto Hospital, will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 30.