May in Bozeman means the sun is shining, the snow is melting, and runners have come out of winter hibernation at the gym. Bozeman High School’s Rotary Interact Club is taking advantage of the warm weather to host their annual “Fun Run 5K” on May 3rd at East Gallatin Recreation Area. This year, in addition to the 5K there will be a 1 mile race for juniors and their parents. There will also be an ice cream social, complete with live music, for runners after the race.

Runners can register by going to racemontana.com and searching for “Rotary Interact Fun Run”. Junior registration (Ages 0-18) will cost $10 on Race Montana and $15 on the Race-Day. Adult Registration (19 and up) will cost $20 on Race Montana and $25 on the Race Day.

Each year the run is held to raise money for an organization chosen by members of the Interact Club. This year Interact members are once again giving the profits to The Cody Dieruf Foundation, which helps local children affected by Cystic Fibrosis. By choosing a local organization, the Interact members are able to see the direct impact of their work on a local level.

“There are kids at the high school with this disease, and to be able to see that our efforts will directly impact our peers means the world!” says one of the run organizers and BHS senior, Derek Hetherington.

Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). The disease clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food. The predicted average age of survival for a person with CF is in the late 30s. With your help, the money raised in this run will be put towards defeating this unfortunate disease. Last year the run raised over $1,000, and Interact hopes to double that amount this year.
The club has been working with local sponsors to provide timing and refreshments for runners. In addition, with each registration comes one raffle ticket that can be used in a raffle held at the end of the event. Raffle items include donations from Simms, the Bozeman Running Company, Planet Bronze, Play it Again Sports, Yellowstone Coffee Roasters, and more. If you have questions or information on businesses that would like to help sponsor the run, contact 406-599-1385 or rozkutsch@gmail.com.