Copyright © 2004 NLThomas
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TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - Runners from around the country will participate in the Cherokee National Holiday 5K run on Saturday, September 4. The run will be held on the east side of the Cherokee Nation Tribal Complex, located 3.5 miles south of Tahlequah, Oklahoma on Highway 62.

“We had a total of 362 runners last year,” said Sherry Parks, run coordinator. “We had runners from as far away as Massachusetts, Florida, Nebraska and Iowa, as well as local runners.

Registration begins at 6:30 a.m. with the run starting at 7:30 a.m. The pre-registration entry fee for the 5K and Fun Run is $15. Participants can pre-register through Tuesday, August 31. On race day the entry fee is $18. The 5K Run is a United States of America Track and Field (USATF) certified and sanctioned event.

Run coordinators will give Olympic style medals to winners in each age group in the 5K run. The top overall male and female finishers will receive trophies. The first 350 runners to enter will receive commemorative edition T-shirts.

Last year’s overall men’s winner of the 5K run was Ryan Siler of Tahlequah, Okla. Tammy West of Tahlequah, Okla. was the overall women’s winner. The top six runners of the 2003 Fun Run were Evian Parks, Jessica Hembree, Jennie Hembree, Timothy Walkwitz, Jennifer Nickell, and William Trousdale all of Tahlequah, Okla.

This year’s Cherokee National Holiday begins September 3 and runs through September 5. The Cherokee National Holiday has been held since 1953 in commemoration of the signing of the 1839 Cherokee Constitution. It has grown into one of the largest events in Oklahoma, attracting more than 90,000 people from across the world.

For a full visit the Cherokee National Holiday schedule, on the Cherokee Nation’s web site or call Louie Slagle, phone: 918-456-0671 or 800-256-0671 (ext.2544). For more information about the 5K Holiday Run, contact Sherry Parks, phone: 918-458-7661.

Related Cherokee Nation contact information:

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org