By Kevin McGranahan

Warm up and get ready to run or walk because the Bengal 5K is right around the corner.

March 19 th marks the date for the eighth annual Bengal 5K Run and Fun Walk beginning at 9:30 a.m. ; registration is from 8 to 9 a.m. at Buffalo State College .

Free parking in Lot L on the Buffalo State campus and free long sleeve T-shirts will be given out to the first 400 registrants. All registrants are eligible to win door prizes. Two hundred and fifty to 350 people are expected, but the goal is 400 people, says Alumni Events Coordinator Jennifer Small.

“I want to get as much student participation as possible,” Small says.

Small also says that Channel 2 weatherman Kevin O'Connell will shoot the gun to start the race.

A Bengal brunch will be held after the race at Buckham Campus school cafeteria, which is known for being very popular, Small says.

Discounts for pre-registration by March 16 th but people can still register after the 16th. Prices for the race are as follows:

• Pre-Registration ( by March 16 ) $18 general , $16 Buffalo State faculty, staff or alumni , $10 students .
• After March 16 th , $20 general, $18 Buffalo State staff, faculty or alumni, $12 students .
• Special pre-registration student group rate, seven or more students from a student organization, club, fraternity, sorority, sports team, intramural team, residence hall, etc., get a $2 discount per student . ($8 a student)
• Bengal Brunch only, $5 general

Sorry no refunds! All proceeds benefit the Buffalo State College Alumni Association's Legacy Scholarship Fund, a $500 scholarship awarded annually to a student who is related to a Buffalo State graduate.

Medals will be given out to the top overall male and female finishers and to the top three male and female finishers. All medals will be given to the top finishers in different age groups starting at 14 and under, going every five years to 70 and over.

Special awards will also be given to:

• top male and female Buffalo State student finishers.
• top male and female alumni finishers.
• top male and female Buffalo State faculty or staff finishers.
• student group with the largest number of participants in the race will receive a trophy.

Race results will be posted during the post-race brunch and available online following the race at www.buffalorunners.com .

Buffalo State graduate Crystal Miller plans to run in the race and says it's her preparation for the Buffalo Marathon on May 29th.

“This is my first race I'm running in and I want to get used to running with a lot of people,” Miller says.

She also said she found out about the race on runnersworld.com , where people can search for races anywhere in the United States .

• Volunteer opportunities are available on the race day, for information contact (716) 878-6001.

•  The race started back in 1998 when the Institutional Advancements department came up with the idea and the event is sponsored by the Buffalo State College Alumni Association.

• Roller blades, strollers and dogs are not allowed on the race course.

For more information on the race call (716) 878-6001 or e-mail at alumin@buffalostate.edu . Check out the Bengal 5k web site for registration information

Kevin McGranahan can be contacted at KevinMc48@aol.com .