6th Annual Run with the Rapids 5K

The 6th Annual “Run with the Rapids” 5K Race will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2014, in Downtown Niagara Falls, NY. This USA Track & Field sanctioned race benefits the Downtown Niagara Falls Business Association (DNFBA). Race registration and the Post Race Party will be held on Old Falls Street, USA. Check-in time is from 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. with a race start time of 9 a.m. The Post Race Party runs until 12 noon.

The unique course, certified accurate by the USA Track & Field Association (Course ‪#‎NY11005JG‬), showcases the recent developments in Downtown Niagara Falls along with a scenic view of the Upper Niagara River Rapids. The race will start on the corner of Third and Old Falls Streets and guides participants through the Buffalo Avenue Heritage District, along a portion of the Robert Moses Parkway, through the downtown area and finishing on Third Street. Seasoned and amateur participants are encouraged to register.

Returning this year will be chip timing by Score This. Runners will receive electronic devices to insert in their shoes that will be able to compute finish times to thousandths of a second

Race registration forms are posted on www.FallsStreet.com or can be obtained by contacting Dan Mezhir, race coordinator, at (716) 278-2111 or at dmezhir@niagarafalls-cc.com. Prepayment can be made online at www.score-this.com. Pre-registration price for a single participant is $25 or $45 for a pair (2 people only) of runners. Onsite race registration is $30 per person.

The festive Post Race Party is held on Old Falls Street, USA, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. The party features a buffet picnic, beer and wine, soft drinks and live entertainment for registered runners. The party is also open to the general public with the purchase of a $10 wristband.

“This fund-raiser is the official kick-off of the 2014 Old Falls Street summer season,” said Ryan Coate, DNFBA president and general manager of Old Falls Street, USA. “Visitors and residents alike will enjoy the course as it highlights the many new changes to our downtown landscape as well as the thunderous upper river rapids themselves.”

In addition to participants, the DNFBA is also looking for race volunteers. Volunteers will help mark the intersections of the course and provide water for participants. Those wishing to help should call (716) 278-2115.

The goal of the DNFBA is to create a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly neighborhood, with commercial, retail and residential development elements that service several market segments and ultimately result in capturing more tourist visitation to Downtown Niagara Falls.

The race is sponsored by Global Spectrum, The Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls, Old Falls Street, USA, the Quality Hotel & Suites, Legends Bar & Grill, the Niagara Gazette, Sevenson Environmental Services, the Holiday Inn, the Comfort Inn – The Pointe, ROAD ID, and the Sheraton At The Falls.

For more information or to pre-register for the event, visit www.FallsStreet.com.