The Marcus Jones/100 Black Men 5K Fun Run/Walk set

The 100 Black Men of St. Mary Parish are busy teasing and enticing runners and walkers who sign up early this year for their annual fun run and walk.
The first man and the first woman to cross the finish line will each win $300 cash.
“We’re holding an open call for runners and walkers to register right now to get a better handle on our event, which thank God, just keeps growing and growing,” said Clarence Robinson Jr., organization president.
The event, a running and walking 5K, will celebrate its 18th anniversary this year. It will be held Sept. 5 at 8 a.m., the Saturday morning of the 80th annual Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival. The start line will be at Front and Everett streets near City Hall in Morgan City’s historic district.
Preregistration, which ends Thursday, is $20 for entrants, while those who enter Friday and after will pay $25.
All who preregister will receive a commemorative T-shirt.
Senior citizens (62 and older) will pay $15, while those who would not like a T-shirt can register for $12.
An entry form is found in today’s newspaper and will be featured again in upcoming editions.
Also, credit card registration is available by calling 985-312-2154.
Late registration begins at 7 a.m. in front of City Hall the day of the race.
Runners and walkers can download an application at www.kbze.com/2015.html, the website of KBZE 105.9FM, the event’s host radio station. There, you will also find a news story on the race’s namesake, Marcus Jones.
Proceeds from the 5K are used to award scholarships to one graduating senior from each St. Mary Parish High School — West St. Mary, Franklin, Centerville, Patterson, Berwick and Morgan City.
The 100 Black Men of St. Mary Parish is a non-profit community service organization comprised solely of African-American men who reside in Iberia and St. Mary parishes.
Robinson estimates that nearly $75,000 has been awarded in scholarships since the first pair of tennis shoes left the starting line.
Trophies and medals will be awarded to the top male and female finishers in each of the following age categories: 13 and under, 14-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54 and 55 and over.
For more information about the event, call Robinson at 985-255-9775.
For more information on the 100 Black Men of St. Mary Parish, including an application to join, visit www.100blackmenstmary.org