Runners and walkers of all ages are invited to participate in the Audubon Community Nature Center 2019 Wild 5K, part of Chautauqua Striders/UPMC Chautauqua Runner of the Year Series. July 15 is the early bird registration deadline to receive a free t-shirt for the Saturday, July 27, run.

At the Audubon Community Nature Center 2019 Wild 5K Run/Walk area residents can walk and run in one of the area’s only 5K trail races.

Monday, July 15, is the deadline for early bird registration to receive a free t-shirt for the event on Saturday, July 27.

Race through fields and forests and across boardwalks as they move toward the finish line. Timing will be recorded through Chautauqua Striders chip timing. The Wild 5K is part of the 2019 Chautauqua Striders/UPMC Chautauqua Runner of the Year Series for which participating runners receive points.

Some changes have been made to the 2019 course to allow for a longer, wider starting point and include sections of trails that have never been a part of the race before. The trail wanders through just more than three miles of Audubon’s six miles of trails.

Prizes will be awarded to the first three overall male and female walker and runner finishers. Age group awards will be given to the top three finishers in each division for runners and top finisher in each division for walkers.

Check-in and same-day registration is 8 to 8:45 a.m., the race at 9 a.m. The awards ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. for those who have completed the race.

After the race runners can have snacks, visit with Liberty, the bald eagle, and explore the exhibits inside the Nature Center.

The entry fee is $30; $25 for Nature Center and Chautauqua Striders members. Money raised benefits the trails and bridges on the property.

For details and to register, visit auduboncnc.org/wild5k. Race results from 2018 can also be found there.

After the race, visit Panama Rocks Scenic Park in Chautauqua County for Roger Tory Peterson’s Wild America Nature Festival, Saturday, July 27, and Sunday, July 28. The festival features 40 nature artists, live wild animals, a local food cook off, speakers, music, farmer’s market, classes, workshops, and other activities.

Sponsors of the 2019 Wild 5K Run/Walk include I-86 Auto Repair, Jamestown Macadam, JRSC Digital, Whirley DrinkWorks!, Debbie Rowe Realtor, Hollyloft Ski and Bike, ONEIDA Lumber/ACE Hardware, and Russell Veterinary Hospital and Lakeside Veterinary Medicine.

Community partners include: Bob and Kathy Frucella, Carnahan-Jackson Foundation, Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, Holmberg Foundation, Hultquist Foundation, Jessie Smith Darrah Fund, the Lenna Foundation, the Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, FSC Systems Inc., Community Foundation of Warren County, Kinetic by Windstream and Hal and Mary Conarro.

The Audubon Community Nature Center is located at 1600 Riverside Road, one-quarter mile east of Route 62 between Jamestown and Warren. For more information, call 569-2345 or visit auduboncnc.org.