FOR THE GAZETTE

AMHERST — The Jensen Community Center will hold its 17th annual River Run 5-Mile & 2-Mile race at Central Waters Brewing Co. on Saturday, Oct. 14. 

The annual River Run is the primary fundraiser for the non-profit Jensen Community Center (JCC) in Amherst. A partnership between the JCC and Central Waters Brewing Co. helps to ensure an eventful, seamless, and fun fall event year after year. Participants travel from all over the state of Wisconsin, or further, in order to get the chance to score a limited and highly-sought-after prize – the bourbon barrel-aged Imperial Stout, Black Gold.

The race includes an untimed 2-mile distance course that runs through the Village of Amherst, and timed 5-mile course, which reaches past the village limits and along the Tomorrow River Trail, a crushed limestone trail developed along an abandoned railroad grade. Both courses begin and end at Central Waters, 351 Allen St., Amherst.

The Jensen Community Center is an important part of the Amherst community and is an essential part of the area, serving as a gathering place for cultural, fitness, education, social and health-related activities, in addition to offering rental spaces for private parties, organizations, and businesses. The Jensen Community Center relies on the generosity of the community to keep it running and does not receive any government funding.

It takes more than a hundred volunteers and countless hours to make the River Run possible, from individuals and local clubs and organizations, including cooperation from the Village of Amherst, Portage County Sheriff’s Deputies, and Amherst EMTs on the day of the race. Local organizations and businesses provide food and other services on race day, giving many local residents the chance to be a part of the event.

The River Run registration costs $40 and legal-age participants receive a long-sleeved River Run t-shirt, a can of River Run beer, one tap beer, and the chance to purchase a bottle of Black Gold. Choose the untimed 2-Mile course (walking is accepted and encouraged) or get competitive on the timed 5-Mile course. Registration is ongoing now through October 1 in order to guarantee a t-shirt at https://runsignup.com/Race/WI/Amherst/JensenCenterRiverRun.

Visit jensencenter.org, visit The River Run or Jensen Community Center/Community Spirit on Facebook, or call 715-824-5202.