Benefit Race Attracting Top-Flight Runners

The seventh annual ‘Round Orange Race scheduled Sunday to benefit the Orangewood Children’s Foundation is attracting entries from world class runners, a foundation official said this week.

Among the competitors will be Kenyan runner Henry Rono, who has held world records for 3,000, 5,000 and 10,000 meters, foundation director William G. Steiner said.

Rono, a “last-minute entry” is in the United States attempting to qualify for Kenya’s 1992 Olympic marathon team, Steiner said.

The 10-K and 5-K races will begin at 8 a.m. Sunday from Peralta Junior High School, near Tustin and Katella avenues. A children’s one-mile race will begin at 9 a.m.

This year, for the first time, the race will offer $1,000 cash prizes to the male and female winners of the 5-K and 10-K races. A $500 prize will be awarded to the runner who breaks a record in either race. All runners are eligible to enter a drawing for a 1992 Toyota.

Two thousand runners have already registered, including 100 runners aged 10 years or less who will compete in the one-mile race, Steiner said.

Runners may continue to register after 1 p.m. today and after 10 a.m. Saturday at Ski and Sports, 1802 E. Katella. Race day registration will begin at 6 a.m. at Peralta Junior High.

Entry fees are $18 for the 5-K and 10-K and $10 for the one-mile fun run.

The race, sponsored by the city of Orange and the Orange Chamber of Commerce, benefits abused and neglected children who are in custody of the Orangewood Children’s Home.