Registration is open for the 39th Bill Burby Inspirational Fun Run, jetting off from the corner of Vashon Highway SW and Gorsuch Road SW outside the Vashon 4 Paws Veterinary Clinic Saturday, July 20.
“It really is a community tradition. That’s what I see it as,” said Amy Bogaard, treasurer and Bill Burby Race board member.
Check-in and registration begin at 7:00 a.m. and closes at 8:15 a.m. At press time, less than 80 racers had registered so far, though board member Mary Margaret Briggs said that there are always many day-of registrants.
Register early to take advantage of discounted entry fees at billburbyrace.org/register.
Preregistration:
- $25 – Adult
- $12.50 – Children (18 and under)
Day of race:
- $ 40 – Adult
- $ 25 – Children (18 and under)
You may pick up an entry form at Northwest Sports in Thriftway Plaza to register in person — just be sure to drop off your completed form with fee at Northwest Sports by 12 noon on Thursday, July 18. Mail-in entry forms with fee are also accepted, postmarked no later than Saturday, July 13.
A Strawberry Festival tradition, the race is named in honor of Bill Burby, a beloved island coach and teacher who died unexpectedly of cardiac arrest. Since the event’s inception in 1980, funds raised from the race have helped support Vashon Island High School athletic programs.
A portion of the money raised also funds the Bill Burby Wellness Scholarship, awarded annually to a high school senior.
The event’s organizers say that costumes are encouraged — it’s a fun run. New this year, all athletes will be provided reusable water bottles to reduce the use of plastic water bottles.
“We need to make sure we educate our young people on the island and when they see us handing out plastic water bottles it just doesn’t show that we’re trying to make a difference,” said Bogaard.
