KADENA AIR BASE, Okinawa — The eighth annual Special Olympics Fun Run will be held March 24 at the Risner Fitness Center on Kadena Air Base. Registration for the 5-kilometer dash starts at 7 a.m. and the race will begin at 8.

Charles Steitz, senior adviser to the Kadena Special Olympics, said the event will be the first of several fund-raising activities leading to the June 24 Special Olympics at Kadena High School.

“The Special Olympics delivers an important message no matter where its athletes reside,” Steitz said. “The message is that people with disabilities should be afforded the same opportunities to celebrate their successes and achievements.

“Special Olympics on Okinawa is a unique program which has grown to become the largest outreach program in the Pacific,” he added.

Prizes will be awarded for the first-place male, first-place female and first-place child (12 and younger). Each will receive a certificate and a $25 AAFES gift card.

Last year, 993 special-needs athletes and close to 250 special-needs artists took part in the games and 7,000 people attended the event, including about 2,500 volunteers.

For more information regarding the Fun Run, contact Airman 1st Class Taquea Davidson at 634-1804.

People interested in volunteering for the games should contact 1st Lt. Christine Carr at DSN 634-4700.

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