Fourth Joggin’ for Frogmen takes off this Saturday

    If the trend continues, numbers will be up again this Saturday for the fourth annual Joggin’ for Frogmen in Imperial.
    The 5K run/walk starting at 9 a.m. in Campbell Park, and its Tadpole Trot for the youngsters (age six and younger) that follows will raise funds for the Navy Seal Foundation.
    Kelsey Owens of Champion organizes the race each year. She has a brother on active duty in the Navy Special Warfare.
    She’s hoping numbers will top the previous year, as they have since the first Joggin’ for Frogmen in 2014.
    Early this week, there were more than 90 registered, Owens said. Last year, the 5K and Tadpole Trot drew 131 registrants, up from 115 in 2014 and 65 the first year.
    Awards and medals will be presented at the conclusion of both the 5K and Tadpole Trot.
    Owens said if the morning is dampened by rain, the events will go on as scheduled. They will be cancelled only if lightning is present, she said.
Registration still open
    Participants can still register online up until 4 p.m. today (Thursday) by going to the website: jogginforfrogmen.com. Click on “find a race” and select Imperial.
    By registering online, runners and walkers will be able to pick up their race materials, t-shirts and other info at 509 Broadway in Imperial on Friday.
    On both Friday and Saturday, participants will receive 20 percent off all purchases in the store, Owens noted.
    People can also register the day of the race starting at 7:30 a.m., she said, and they’ll take registrations up until the race begins.
    Active duty military who take part will receive a registration fee special rate.
    Owens noted she can’t guarantee a t-shirt for registrations after 4 p.m. Thursday.
    All proceeds from Saturday’s event support the Navy SEAL Foundation, which in turn, provides assistance and support to families who have lost a loved one through service as a Navy SEAL.
    Owens said a percentage of the money goes to families at the time of a loss to help with immediate needs such as flight costs to meet the military plane delivering the casket.
    The rest is divided among the foundation’s other assistance programs after burial.
    Pictures of five Nave SEALs who have died, three of them since Imperial’s race last year, will be displayed Saturday morning.