The Medical Center 10K Classic will take place this Saturday on and around WKU’s campus.

Rachel Goodman, assistant director of Campus and Community Activities, said the event has started and ended on WKU’s campus for 32 years. The course begins near Creason Street and will go around Bowling Green before ending near the Downing University Center.

Many streets around town will be closed during the run, with all roads are set to reopen by 11 a.m.

The day begins at 7:30 a.m. with a 5K run/walk, a 1.5 mile Fun Walk, a Children’s Classic and a wheelchair race. Registration for the 10K is now $50.

Families can register as a group for $120. Goodman said that many families attend the event and run together. There is a children’s race at 10:15 a.m.

Raffles will be drawn after the race, and there will be three cash prizes. Runners have to be present when their name is called or the prize will go to someone else.

“I think there are 2,500 registered walkers, runners and wheelchairs,” Goodman said.

Medals and trophies are given to the various winners. While all age groups run in the same race, there will be winners from each separate age group. There will also be one overall winner.

Goodman said many runners come from out of state to attend the race. Another group that usually runs are the WKU track members.

Goodman said Greek organizations get involved as well, with many of their members volunteering at the event to help fulfill community service hours. She said event staff “use them heavily” during the race.

There will be a Health and Fitness Expo the night before the event at the Sloan Convention Center. Vendors set up displays, running stores come out, and the WKU nursing department attends as well, Goodman said.

Another activity that occurs the night before the race is the Southern Foods pre-race Pasta Party. This also takes place at the Sloan Convention Center.

Bowling Green senior Jane Wood is participating in the 10K race, and some of her family will run as well.

Wood said the event is a big deal to the Bowling Green community and that many families run together.

For more race information, check out www.themedicalcenter10kclassic.com/.