DOWNEY – Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center is hosting its annual Roll Around the Ranch Health and Wellness Fair this Saturday, May 10, from 7:30 a.m. to noon. The event features a 5K, 1K and kids’ run for people of all ages and abilities.

Registration can be completed on-site with a suggested donation of $10.

The fair’s featured event is the 5K and 1K, where participants can run, walk or roll in their wheelchairs around the flat course, supported by staff members and volunteers to cheer them on.

The event also features “race buddies,” which are volunteers who are paired with a racer who may not have run or pushed their wheelchair for long distances prior to race day.

Each race participant will receive a medal as they cross the finish line. Many race participants are past Rancho patients, and “being able to finish a distance race marks an important milestone in their personal journey of recovery,” hospital officials said.

Also at the fair will be motivational speeches, performances by local talent, raffles, and a health expo with vendors from around the Los Angeles area. Registered attendees receive a t-shirt, goody bag and healthy snacks.

The 5K begins at 9 a.m. and the 1K kicks off an hour later at 10. The kids’ fun run starts at 10:45 a.m. Event organizers are hoping to top last year’s participation of 800-plus attendees.

For more details, go online to rancho.org/strokefair.

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Published: May 8, 2014 - Volume 13 - Issue 04