Lace up your running shoes — registration for the 13th annual Bowman Cup 5k Race is underway. Registration through Oct. 4 is $25 for participants 10 years of age and older and free for children younger than 10.

The 3.1-mile race, named after former Kent State President George Bowman, will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday in front of the Student Recreation and Wellness Center. The course will run through Kent’s residential areas and the Portage Hike and Bike trail.

“I love road races,” said Rachel Wolin, senior theatre studies major and upcoming race participant.

Abby Millsaps, marketing coordinator for the Department of Recreational Services, said the race will be chip timed. Each runner will receive a chip to wear, and results will be computer generated.

“It’s a really nice benefit to have. Results are super accurate and very quick to be produced,” Millsaps said.

This year, the Bowman Cup has partnered with Kent State’s Child Development Center. It will be offering a free babysitting service for children between 18 months and 8 years old.

“We are hoping, by offering free child care, that both guardians will be able to run,” Millsaps said. “The kids can have a really fun time, and the whole family can take advantage.”

The first 600 participants will receive gender-specific cup performance T-shirts provided by Second Sole. Kent State’s College of Podiatric Medicine will be also hosting a foot clinic.

More than 126 awards and 30 to 40 raffle prizes, provided by local vendors, will be handed out.

Cash prizes will be awarded to first, second and third place finishes for both men and women. Category winners — male and female — consisting of students, faculty and staff, alumni and community members will win fedora hats or signature Bowman mugs. First-, second- and third-place prizes will also be awarded to each of the 16 age groups.

“Almost 200 people will walk away with a prize,” Millsaps said.

There will be a free breakfast buffet after the race for all in attendance.

Participants can register online or at the Rec’s pro shop and find parking surrounding the facility at www.kent.edu/recservices/bowmancup. Students can receive $5 off by using the coupon code ksustudent.

Contact Chase Bonhotel at [email protected].