Rescue Mission, Food Bank 5k to be run again

Madera Rescue Mission and Madera County Food Bank will partner again for the 6th year, Saturday, March 23, at the Madera Speedway and Fairgrounds for the Second Wind 5k and Kids Mini Sprint.

Participation has continued to grow, and 600 runners and walkers of all ages are expected to participate in the 5k or the electric Kids Mini Sprint, one lap around “the fastest 1/3 mile in the west.”

The Second Wind 5k was established in 2014 with the goal of providing a quality, timed, family friendly event to raise money and awareness for the valuable life-changing resources provided through the Madera Rescue Mission and Madera County Food Bank. The 6th year of Second Wind 5k will exceed the $100,000 mark in funds raised based on local sponsors and participation. One hundred percent of the profits are equally shared between the agencies.

Second Wind 5k and Kids Mini Sprint added custom-finisher medals in 2018 and will return with a 2019 custom-finishing medal for participants in both the 5k and Kids Mini Sprint at the iconic Speedway finish line on March 23rd.

2018 proved to be a fast year on the course with both male and female course records broken by Madera resident, Benny Madrigal with a time of 15:57 and Madera High School distance runner Unique Ford running 18:09. Both Madrigal and Ford are scheduled to return on March 23 to defend their records.

Registration can be completed online through secondwind5k.com for both events. Registration is currently $30 for the 5K, increasing to $35 on March 16 through race day. The Kids Mini Sprint is $15, now through race day. Kids up to 12 years of age can benefit from special pricing for the 5K at $20 through race day.

Participants can pick up their race gear at Crossfit Madera, 1920 Modoc St., on Friday, March 22, from 3 to 7 p.m.

This event is open to the public, and Second Wind volunteers will be happy to register additional participants while supplies last.

The Second Wind 5K will start at 8 a.m., March 23, preceded by the Kids Mini Sprint at 7:30 a.m. All participants receive a Finisher Medal, Event Shirt, Bib Chip Timing, sponsor goodies, an event ticket to the evening race at Madera Speedway, chocolate milk, breakfast burrito and more.

The run-walk will begin and end on the fairgrounds racetrack, led by a rumbling local pace car, driven by Kent Cam, who leads the field off the line and out around Madera District Fairgrounds.

More information is available at secondwind5k.com and through Facebook.