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5X���� at Salem will hold its first-ever Flash Dash 5K race, which will take place May 18 at the campus. The race is open to anyone who welcomes a challenge or who likes to get dirty.

Runners of all ages will race on a beautiful, cross-country trail and will encounter climbing, crawling and mud obstacles. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Kent State Rural Scholars program, and registrations are now being accepted.

The nonrefundable entry fee is $30 for people ages 13 and older, $15 for the Mini Flash Dash (runners ages 12 and under), and $20 for Kent State students or employees. The entry fee for members of a four-person team is $25 per person, and there are special group rates for teams of 10 or more runners.

T-shirts will be given to those who register by May 1. There will be a $5 fee for registrations received after that date. Registration begins that day at 10:30 a.m. Waves of runners will be sent every half hour from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Mini Flash Dash waves will be sent out at 3 and 3:30 p.m.

Prizes will be awarded to the top male and female participants in the various categories.

For information about registering for the Flash Dash, call 330-332-0361 or visit  online registration.

There will be music, food concessions, health screenings and a Kids Zone that will feature fun activities for children, including games and crafts. The Salem Community Center is helping to organize the activities, along with staff members from Kent State Salem.

Local law enforcement agencies will also offer fingerprinting and ID kits for children. Kids will be able to plant seeds and learn basic gardening skills in the new Discovery Garden and Kent State’s mascot, Flash, also will make an appearance.

“This is going to be a really fun day for everyone who ventures out to our campus,” says David Dees, organizer of the event and Rural Scholars coordinator. “There will be something for everyone. Just watching the runners race around this beautiful setting will be exciting. This is a perfect way to showcase our campus while raising money for a great cause. We welcome everyone to come get muddy with us.”

The Rural Scholars Program offers first-generation, college-bound students from rural Columbiana County and surrounding areas a college access program designed to give them and their families the knowledge, rigorous academic exposure and social support they will need to be successful at a world-class university. The goal is for every student in the program to complete post-secondary education with the credentials necessary to succeed in his or her career.