Jones 5K, polar plunge set for April 17

A new Polar Bear Plunge will be held in conjunction with the ninth annual Chance Mark Jones Roar & Run 5K, which will be held Saturday, April 17 at the new Clarendon Aquatic Center.

The Clarendon Lions Club is hosting the events in memory of the late Chance Mark Jones to raise awareness of Child Abuse. Jones passed away in January 2011 as a result of abuse.

Those interested in running or walking the 5K (about 3.1 miles) or taking the plunge are encouraged to sign up by April 8 to take advantage of the early registration price.

Early registration is $20 for the 5K, $20 to take the plunge, or $30 for a combo registration for both events. Signing up by April 8 also guarantees participants the official 5K/Plunge t-shirt.

Registrations after April 8 will cost $25 each or $40 for the combo registration.

The Lions Club is also encouraging all participants to wear costumes for both the 5K and the plunge with a prize being award to the best dressed person in each competition. The crazier the costume, the better, the club says.

The year’s 5K will again start and end at the Clarendon Aquatic Center and will run through the city, around Prospect Park, which is the home of the Lions’ Chance Mark Jones Memorial Playground, and past several historic sites. The race will begin at 9:00 a.m.

Following the race, at about 10:30, the Polar Bear Plunge will take place inside the Aquatic Center, with registered plungers being the first people to jump into Clarendon’s brand new swimming pool.

Race and plunge registrations are available at the Clarendon Visitor Center at the Mulkey Theatre, at the Enterprise, or online at https://bit.ly/2Qp85lE.

Sponsorships are also available, and potential sponsors are also asked to sign up by April 8 to ensure their names are on this year’s t-shirt.

Proceeds will go towards the many charitable activities of the Clarendon Lions Club, which includes eyeglasses for local school kids, Christmas food baskets for local families, hosting the local office of The Bridge – Children’s Advocacy Center, local scholarships, continued park improvements, and monetary support for other local charities.

For more information, contact Lion Ashlee Estlack at ashlee.estlack@gmail.com or 806-662-4687 or Lion Roger Estlack at publisher@clarendonlive.com or 806-874-2259.