Runners make their way to the start line as they begin the Girls on the Run 5K at Eastern Michigan University Rynearson Stadium in 2011.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
The eighth semi-annual Girls on the Run 5K is Sunday and is expected to draw more than 7,500 individuals to Ypsilanti. Drivers in the area should be aware of the road closures that will result due to the race.
Hewitt Road and a portion of eastbound Huron River Drive will be closed at 9:30 a.m. Girls on the Run Executive Director Danielle Plunkett said only a portion of Huron River Drive will be closed because of its close proximity to the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital.
The event will start on Hewitt Road, and then it will make its way to Huron River Road. The participants also will run along part of Oakwood Street and Lyman Street before going back onto Huron River Road and then onto Westview Street. The last leg of the race will be through Eastern Michigan University's Rynearson Stadium.
The event begins at 8:30 a.m. and lasts until 12:30 p.m.
Girls on the Run is an international nonprofit organization founded in 2001 that pairs volunteer coaches with girls ages 8 to 13 for a 10-week program as they navigate their tricky preteen years. Girls on the Run is broken down into local chapters that oversee specific regions.
More than 1,000 girls ages 8-14 run 3.1 miles along with their coaches, families, friends, teachers and community members.
All proceeds from the event benefit Girls on the Run of Southeastern Michigan, which oversees Washtenaw, Lenawee, Livingston, Jackson and Monroe counties. The organization is seeking to raise more than $125,000 for next year.
A map of the planned race route:
The map shows the route planned for the 5k event.
Courtesy Girls on the Run
Katrease Stafford covers Ypsilanti for AnnArbor.com.Reach her at katreasestafford@annarbor.com or 734-623-2548 and follow her on twitter.