This July 14, 2023, image provided by Jessica Damiano shows recently planted summer squash growing near more mature plants to ensure a continued harvest on Long Island, N.Y. (Jessica Damiano via AP)

Saturday, July 29, is the date for the 2023 Audubon Community Nature Center Wild 5K Run/Walk in Jamestown.

All ages are invited to participate.

The event schedule is:

¯ 8-8:45 a.m. — Registration

¯ 9 a.m. — Race

¯ 10:15 a.m. — Awards Ceremony.

Audubon’s trail system is in a glacial valley, which makes the trail exceptionally flat. Well-marked with white arrows, the race course starts out on a 12-foot-wide maintenance road before narrowing to 6-foot-wide trails further on. Most is on bare ground, with one small section along pavement. Winding through shady hemlock forests, over boardwalks, and past fields, it returns to the Nature Center. The race takes place rain or shine and covers uneven ground and some narrow bridges.

Prizes are awarded to the first three overall male and female walker and runner finishers. Age group awards are given to the top three finishers in each division for runners and top finisher in each division for walkers. The fee is $30 or $25 for Nature Center members and Striders runners. Money raised in the Wild 5K supports the trail system that the race takes place on, as well as Audubon’s vision of giving every child in the region a healthy connection to nature. Pre-registration is appreciated through the link at AudubonCNC.org. Walk-ins are welcome. Volunteers are still needed for set up, runner check-in, snack station, route monitoring, and clean-up. If you can help, contact Audubon Volunteer Coordinator Emily Nelson at ENelson@AudubonCNC.org or 716-569-2345.

The 2023 Wild 5K is sponsored by Shults Auto Group, Univera, Jamestown Container Companies, and Vitality Natural Health and Wellness Center.

Community partners include: Carnahan-Jackson Foundation, Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, Curt and Susie Westrom, Holmberg Foundation, Hultquist Foundation, Jessie Smith Darrah Fund, Lenna Foundation, Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation, Bob Frucella’s Tax Service, Bush Furniture/A Brand of eSolutions Furniture, Hal and Mary Conarro, National Fuel Gas Company, Weinberg Financial Group, and Whirley Drinkworks!

For information on how to become an Audubon community partner, contact Leigh Rovegno at LRovegno@AudubonCNC.org.