5K/10K Run/Walk Sept. 10 at Mears State Park (MI) benefits area women’s shelter

Enjoy a walk or run along the beach at Michigan's Charles Mears State Park and help a good cause at the same time by taking part in the Fourth Annual COVE Benefit Beach Walk/Run. The 5K/10K races kick off at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10, when Mears State Park plays host to the benefit event to raise funds for Communities Overcoming Violent Encounters (COVE), a non-profit organization serving victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and women and children who are homeless.

The 5K and 10K races begin and end at the park, located on West Lowell Street in Pentwater in Oceana County, and follow a course covering paved, hard packed gravel and beach surfaces.

The entry fee for racers registered by Monday, Sept. 6, is $15 per person, and $20 for those registering after Sept. 6. Special discounted rates are available for families. The first 200 registrants will receive a free t-shirt. Prizes will be awarded to the first and second place female and male finishers in each age group for the running events, and for the overall female and male first and second place finishers of the 5K walk.

Proceeds benefit COVE, also known as The Women’s Shelter, to help provide women the resources needed to handle their individual situations.

This year, COVE is asking participants to consider supporting the shelter by bringing along donations such as: alarm clocks, diapers or baby wipes, cleaning supplies and laundry products, women’s grooming supplies and hygiene products, plastic storage containers and children’s and teens’ homework and craft supplies.

Registration forms and additional information are available online at www.michigan.gov/mears. For details, call Lynne Cavazos, benefit coordinator for COVE at 231-869-5939 or Mears State Park at 231-869-2051.

Recreation Passport

A Recreation Passport is required of vehicles entering Mears State Park. The Recreation Passport has replaced motor vehicle permits for entry into Michigan state parks, recreation areas and state-administered boating access fee sites. This new way to fund Michigan's outdoor recreation opportunities also helps to preserve state forest campgrounds, trails, and historic and cultural sites in state parks, and provides park development grants to local communities.

Michigan residents can purchase the Recreation Passport ($10 for motor vehicles; $5 for motorcycles) by checking "YES" on their license plate renewal forms, or at any state park or recreation area. Nonresident motor vehicles must still display a valid nonresident Recreation Passport ($29 annual; $8 daily) to enter a Michigan state park, recreation area or state-administered boating access fee site; these can be purchased at any state park or recreation area, or through the Michigan e-Store at www.michigan.gov/estore. To learn more about the Recreation Passport, visit www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport or call 517-241-7275.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.