Courtesy of Messenger Post Newspapers. Used with permission.

Hundreds expected for Greece race

The 9th Annual Run for Hospice will tie up North Greece Road Oct. 16 - for a good cause.

By AMY KOTLARZ / akotlarz@mpnewspapers.com

North Greece Road between West Ridge and Mill Roads will be shut down at8:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, for one of the Rochester region's largest races, the annual Run for Hospice.

Past races have tied up traffic along the 5K and 10-mile race routes, which starts and ends at First Bible Baptist Church and goes as far north on North Greece Road as Frisbee Hill Road.

Race times have been pushed forward 30 minutes to alleviate traffic problems, organizers said. Residents along the route have been notified byletter and are encouraged to be spectators for the race, Peursem said.

"We encourage the public to avoid the area," said Pete Van Peursem, racedirector and founder.

Peursem started the race to remember his mother, Helen Van Peursem, whowascared for by Visiting Nurse Hospice. Last year's race raised $32,000 forthehospice. Over its nine years, the race has raised $127,000 for hospice.

"He just goes all out all year soliciting donations and door prizes," saidPeggy Martin, director of the Visiting Nurse Service Foundation ofRochesterand Monroe County, of Peursem. "It's a great program and it does help ourhospice program."

Martin said the fee for Hospice services is $98 a day, while the actualcostto Hospice is $168. The fund raiser helps Hospice alleviate the gapbetweenpayment and reimbursement, Martin said. Hospice also uses fund raiser tohelp it provide services regardless of an ability to pay, she said.

This year's race will also feature an additional $3,000 prize for topAmerican finishers, in order to attract top American competitors to therace, Peursem said. Prizes run up to $600, with a total of $11,000 in cashprizes available for the 5K and $1,500 cash for the 10-mile.

The 5K race includes North Greece, English, Mill Hollow Crossing and MillRoads. The 10-mile race starts on North Greece Road at Mill Road. Afterheading north, runners will turn east on Post Avenue, north on Flynn Road,west on Frisbee Hill, and south on North Greece Road back to the church.North Greece Road, north of Latta, which has been shut down for a bridgereplacement, will be reopened for the race, Peursem said.

For details, visit www.runforhospice.com or call Pete Van Peursem at (585)594-4197 or call e-mail Pete@runforhospice.com

Run for Hospice schedule:

8:45 a.m. 10-mile Road Race

8:55 a.m. 5K (3.1-mile) Wheelchair Division

9:00 a.m. 5K (3.1-mile) Road Race and 2.5 mile fitness walk

10 a.m. Children's fun run.

Registration for the Run for Hospice is available online and from 2 to 8p.m. Friday, Oct. 15, at First Bible Baptist Church. Entry fees for theraces are $20 if mailed before the race, and $22 the day of the race.Thoseregistered by Oct. 15, when online registration ends, are eligible to winhundreds of door prizes.

The race is part of the Greece Autumn Alliance race series, which alsoincludes the Thanksgiving Day Race with Grace - a 10K race - which alsostarts and ends at First Bible Baptist Church.