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WHAT: Marmot March is a 1-mile non-competitive walk/jog/run for children in second grade or younger. An adult must accompany the child around the course. Strollers welcome.

WHEN: Saturday, May 4, 2013 (the day before Bloomsday) at 10:00 a.m.

WHERE: Riverfront Park downtown. We have a NEW START and FINISH. The start line is at the north entrance of Riverfront Park on Howard & Mallon. Parking is available in the north parking lot right by the start line. The finish is in the Gondola Meadow next to the steel running statues. Post-race party is under the big white tents at the finish.

HOW: Parents must register children ahead of time (limited to the first 300 children who sign up) by filling out an entry form. Entry fee is $10.00/child (no charge for adult companions), and includes a T-shirt and paint set (for coloring the shirt).

HIGHLIGHTS: This will be the eighth year this event has been on the Bloomsday weekend schedule:

• Children and adults participate together (no more than four children per adult, and all must stay together).
• T-shirts (for kids only) picked up at the Marmot March booth at the Bloomsday Trade Show and decorated prior to the event.
• Appearances expected from mascots from sports teams, schools and businesses from throughout the Spokane region.

MASCOTS!: Sports teams that would like to send a mascot to participate in the fun should contact the Bloomsday office, (509) 838-1579, ext. 10.

GOALS: In offering the Marmot March, the Lilac Bloomsday Association has the following goals:

• Encourage kids to be physically active.
• Promote walking and jogging as enjoyable activities.
• Offer another fun, family activity on Bloomsday weekend.

NEW: Soles4Youth: Bring your gently used running shoes, clothes and accessories to the Bloomsday Trade Show and donate them at the Marmot March booth. Soles4Youth is a new local program that provides donated items to grade school kids participating in Cross Country and Fit for Bloomsday. We are in need of all things running to fit kids K through 6th grade for boys and girls. You know the feeling you get inside when you give...Your kids will too! When they come to pick up their Marmot March packet have them drop a donation in our Soles4Youth bin!

JUNIOR BLOOMSDAY: This is the 1st annual return of Junior Bloomsday. This competitive race (for this year) will be open to the first 200 3rd and 4th graders and is chip timed! It will run one hour prior to Marmot March on the same course. Click on the Junior Bloomsday link later this month for more information.

SPONSORS: Marmot March is sponsored by Franz Bakeries.

Photos by Jessica Sheets and Michelle Neill