Girls on the Run Will Race in Red Kettle 5K Run in West Des Moines Park

A news release from the Salvation Army in Des Moines:

Girls on the Run, a team of some 50 third-through-fifth grade girls, has registered to participate in The Salvation Army's initial Red Kettle 5K Run next month. The run is scheduled for Saturday morning, Nov. 3, at Raccoon River Park in West Des Moines.

With Walnut Creek Family YMCA as a local partner, Girls on the Run was organized to promote healthy choices, positive self image and opportunities to build friendship. Members of the group are 9-12 years old.

The young runners, who represent five elementary schools in the Des Moines metro, are conducting donation drives to benefit The Salvation Army food pantries. Each girl will have a running buddy to cheer them on to the end of the Red Kettle Run.

The Red Kettle 5K Run will begin at 9 a.m. on Nov. 3. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. The registration fee is five family-size personal items for The Salvation Army's food pantries. Personal items include bath soap, shampoo, toothpaste, feminine products, bathroom and facial tissue and the like. In lieu of the personal items, a runner can register for a $10 fee. 

A box of disposable diapers or a can of infant formula will cover the registration for four runners.

Runners can sign-up on line at www.salvationarmy-desmoines.org.