SPRINGFIELD – An evening of family fun, food and friendly competition is on tap at the 8^th Annual Running of the Monk 5K Run/Walk event, to be held June 6 at the Knights of Columbus, 18 Baltimore Pike, Springfield.

One of Delaware County’s most popular 5K events, the Running of the Monk will once again feature a great race, good food, live music and fun for the whole family. But this year’s event will include several changes and enhancements, including:  

• A new location, the Knights of Columbus 590 De La Salle chapter
• A new, professionally wheel-measured course that’s flatter and faster than before
• Chip timing
• A swimming pool that will be open to participants and their family members
• Beach volleyball courts
• A Barbeque Blast sponsored by Victory Brewing featuring live music by Almost Fab, performing songs the Beatles made famous
• A runner’s expo

Organizers hope that these enhancements will help the event build on last year’s total of more than 600 participants. Proceeds from the event will go to the Asthma Day Camp, a one-week camp held each summer at the Healthplex^Ò Sports Club in Springfield for asthmatic children, as well as Knights of Columbus charities.

The event is comprised of three races: the Mini kids’ fun run, which begins at 7 p.m.; a 5K race, which begins at 7:20 p.m.; and a 5K family walk, which begins at 7:21 p.m. Awards will be given to top overall male and female runners, as well as the top finishers in a range of age categories.

The Barbecue blast” begins at 6 p.m. and will include food, micro-brewed beers from Victory Brewing, children’s activities and a performance by Almost Fab.

A pasta night and pre-race packet pickup will be held on June 5 at the Knights of Columbus at 6 p.m. Participants can save time before the race by registering and picking up their race materials at this special event.

For more information or to register, visit www.runthemonk.com. Registration forms can also be picked up at the Healthplex^Ò Sports Club, 194 W. Sproul Rd in Springfield. Participants can register the day of the race beginning at 6 p.m. T-shirts will be provided to the first 600 registrants of the race. Call 610-328-3979 for more information.

The event is presented by the Healthplex^Ò Sports Club, the Delco Road Runners Club, Run the Day Race Management and the Knights of Columbus 590 De La Salle chapter. Sponsors include Bodell, Bove, Grace & Van Horn, P.C, Victory Brewing Company, Viriva Community Credit Union, DrLeeCohen.com, Bath Fitter, O’Brien Floor Covering, Red Fox Graphics, RuppFitness.com , Staffing Plus Inc, Barry Jay Jewelers, Haggerty Plumbing, MusicWorks, B101 and Rita’s Water Ice and Bill Adolph.

The race is also part of the Healthplex^® Sports Club Delco Race Series (visit www.healthplex.net for more information) and the Delco Road Runners Club 2008 Grand Prix (www.delcorrc.org).

The Healthplex’s Asthma Day Camp combines education, fitness and fun to help participants learn what they need to know to control and live with their asthma. For more information, call 610-328-8873.