The Counseling Center, Inc. will host the 4th Annual Natural High 5K Run/Walk fundraiser on Saturday, October 27, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. This year’s course includes a scenic 5K run/walk along historic Portsmouth, Ohio, landmarks, the floodwall murals, riverfront, and Alexandria Point, looping around to end where it begins on Front Street and Chillicothe Street, under the Grant Bridge. This year’s course is the same route as the famous Shawnee State University Bear Run.

Run/Walk check-in and registration will be held poolside at The Holiday Inn, Second Street, starting at 8:00 am, with a start time of 9:00 am. All racers will be chip-timed, with the results published online, and the first 200 registrants will receive a Natural High wicking tech shirt, and a goody bag.

Overall winners will be awarded medals in 13 age categories, and the fastest top female and male racers will also receive a Natural High logo duffle bag stuffed with high-quality runner’s gear. The cost is $ 20, which includes both the Run/Walk and new this year, a Spaghetti Dinner held the night before.

There are many ways to register for the 5K. Runners and walkers can email to request a registration form sbachman@thecounselingcenter.org, call (740) 354-3829, ext. 234 to register over the phone, go to The Counseling Center’s Facebook page to find a link, stop by the administration office at 923 Findlay Street, Portsmouth, or sign up online at http:NaturalHigh5K.EventBrite.com.

New this year, the Natural High 5K will add a pre-registration and check-in Spaghetti Dinner, which is included in the price of registration, the night before the race, on Friday, October 26th, from 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm, at All Saints Episcopal Church - 610 Fourth Street. Carryout will be available.

Remember, you don’t have to be a runner to participate. In 2011, over 200 people turned out in support of The Counseling Center’s Prevention and Outreach 5K event. Some were walking, some were pushing strollers, and some were running. The event is all about encouraging people to come out and enjoy the feeling of volunteering and giving back to the community.

This year’s Natural High 5K Run/Walk event not only promotes a healthy active lifestyle, but it generates much needed funding to support our agency’s ongoing youth Prevention and Outreach program, including programs for area schools and our successful Summer Outreach Camp. We currently provide children, ages 5 - 12, with quality recreational, motivational and educational opportunities during our unique Summer Outreach Camp. The funds we raise on this one-day 5K event will also help underwrite our Scioto County school based prevention services for students from elementary school through high school.

As you know, many young people in our area face tremendous challenges when it comes to making wise choices about drugs, alcohol, staying in school, crime, and teenage pregnancy when they are faced with peer pressure. We work diligently to motivate students to stay in school and prepare for a productive future. We feel strongly that these programs have and will continue to make a positive difference in their lives, but it is critical that we receive community support in order to continue our work.

Your participation will benefit of the children we serve and help us raise awareness for prevention programs. You will make a difference in the lives of many at-risk youth in our community by your support of the 2012 Natural High 5K Run/Walk.

The Natural High 5K Run/Walk is an annual tradition at The Counseling Center that brings hundreds of people from our community together for a great cause. We invite you to come and be a part of it this year and to help make a difference in the lives of local youth.

Funds raised at this event will go solely to support our agency’s ongoing youth Prevention and Outreach program, as well as programs for area schools and our successful Summer Outreach Camp. The funds also help underwrite our Scioto County school based prevention services for students from elementary school to high school.