The annual Cherry Days 5K run is scheduled for Saturday, July 7. This year's race is also a fundraiser for the Paonia High School class of 2014 — the upcoming junior class.

Class co-president Jason Sturgis and William Austin are organizing the race, and class members will be volunteering for and competing in the race.

Pete Heck has organized the race for the past three years. Due to conflicts in his schedule, Heck says he was considering either postponing or cancelling this year's race, but when contacted by the junior class to take on the challenge, he was more than happy to hand it over to them. Heck will still be involved and will be helping with times and course management.

Sturgis said that proceeds from the race will mostly go toward next spring's junior-senior prom, which is put on each year by the junior class.

Any extra funds will go toward the class senior trip in 2014.

The course remains unchanged from the 2011 race. It begins at Apple Valley Park and winds through the east end of Paonia to Minnesota Creek Road and back. Heck describes the course as "pretty flat and fast." Medals will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers.

Last year, 86 runners competed in the race. Sturgis said he'd like to see that number topped this year.

Registration begins at 7 a.m. at Apple Valley Park. Registration fee is $20 and will include a Cherry Days cinch sack. Start time is at 8:30 a.m.

As always, the Cherry Days race will include a 1-mile fun run for children ages 10 and under, which will begin at about 9 a.m.

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