Local runners ready for Mt. Mania in Castle Rock this weekend

The Cowlitz Valley Runners will be holding Mt. Mania in Castle Rock this Saturday, with activities planned for families as well as runners of all levels.

Three age categories will compete for prizes (10 and under, 11-15, and 16 and up) as well as “King and Queen of the Mountain” bestowed on the first male and female to reach the top of the large hill in the middle of the course.

Those who opt for the 5K course will run, or walk, from Lions Pride Park along the Cowlitz River on Castle Rock’s award-winning riverfront trail. Those who choose the 10K course will start on Huntington Ave. and head south on Pleasant Hill Rd., turn east across I-5 on Headquarters Rd., north on Bond Rd. back to exit 48, east up Kalmbach Rd for a 1/4 mile loop, west under I-5 onto south Huntington Ave. and back to Lions Pride Park.

Registration begins at 7:45 a.m. the day of and will be $25 per individual, or $20 if an entrant registers beforehand. Special rates for teams are also available.

Proceeds from this year will be going to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and Castle Rock Youth Activities. Those with questions about registration or other Cowlitz Valley Runners can visit www.cowlitzvalleyrunners.com.

Schedule of events:

7:45 a.m. – Participant registration begins at Lions Pride Park (1500 Huntington Ave. S)

8 a.m. – All-you-can-eat pancake breakfast at Castle Rock Senior Center (222 Second Ave. SW). Suggested donation of $5.

8 a.m. – Rod Run to the Rock car show at Castle Rock Middle School (615 Front Ave. SW). Open to all motor vehicles. Registration ends at 10 a.m. and entries are $20 apiece.

8:30 p.m. – Walk/run begins.

Special recognition of sponsorship for this event has been given to: Fibre Federal; El Compadre; Castle Rock Building Supply; Carlsons Heating & Air Conditioning; Minuteman Press; Heritage Bank; Select Markets; Cascade Networks; Peper’s 49er Restaurant; Walstead Mertsching; Pacific Surgical; NAPA; The Villager, LLC; Peacehealth Medical Group; Gray & Osborne, Inc.; Papa Pete’s Pizza; Cowlitz River Dental; Castle Rock Bakery & Espresso; Castle Rock Brake & Alignment; High Cascade Insurance; Emma V. Torres-Baltazar M.D. PLLC; Castle Rock Pharmacy; C&C Speedymart; and One Main Financial.