Here's a sneak peek at the 5K course for the Erie Runners Club/Her Times women's 5K run/walk on Saturday, Oct. 13 @ 9 a.m. (Thank you, Mike V. for the map and the course layout!).

We have a new course this year because we have a new location (Rotary Pavilion). I learned my lesson after last year's horrible weather and moved the race for a more sheltered location -- now, we'll have a nice warm, dry place to gather if there is bad weather (which should pretty much guarantee sunny skies now).

I have more than 150 women registered already and a big stack of applications that came in the mail today. I'm expecting about 400 this year (I've ordered 400 shirts, so any day-of-race runners/walkers will likely have to wait for me to re-order shirts and pick them up at the newspaper when they come in).

We have plenty of fun planned for this year's race.

-- Uncommon Ground -- a local singing, dancing and acting troupe will be doing some special performances to entertain and empower the runners/walkers (and spectators and volunteers!).
-- We'll have a DJ keeping the party going at the race start/finish area.
-- We have refreshments provided by Wegman's this year -- fruit and cereal bars.

A few changes from last year:

* The location -- we start and finish in front of the Rotary Pavilion. I'd suggest you park in the cabin lot or beach 6 or beach 8 and walk to the Rotary (it's less than .3 miles). We will not allow parking directly in front of the Rotary Pavilion because that is part of our race course.

* There will not be any awards in the walk division. There are too many women who like to run/walk the course which is completely understandable since many of them are new to running and are still working on a run/walk program, but...it's upsetting to women who are treating the walk as a competitive walk (running is a big no-no in the race walking world).

* In the run division, we have decided to add a couple of award divisions -- 1st Master and also to 15 & under (1st, 2nd, 3rd).

* One shirt for all. No tiny tee's this year -- just one great women's cut, v-neck shirt in lavender -- for all.

* SafeNet will be at the race selling t-shirts and butterfly pins. Bring some money if you think you may want to shop.

* There will not be post-race massages. I was not able to work it out.

If you have any questions about the race -- please feel free to email me -- the race director -- at heather.cass@timesnews.com.