High School cross country rivals Knoxville and Pella High are joining forces this morning to host 5k and 10k races that will serve as a fundraiser for both programs. The event is being held in conjunction with this year’s Lake Red Rock Balloon Festival and will take runners on the Volksweg Trail to below the Lake Red Rock dam.

Knoxville cross country coach Mike Moats says he’s enjoyed seeing the event come together and is looking forward to an enjoyable day for the runners.

“It’s been a great partnership. The Pella community put some great volunteer people on our committee, and we’ve got some great people from Knoxville have been involved in the planning committee.” said Moats. “We’ve got a great event planned. There’s some pretty unique aspects to this run that are going to happen [to participants]. It’s not like any other run that is offered in the midwest.”

Pella High cross country coach Doug Cutler says there are obvious benefits in the two programs teaming-up to involve their athletes in the event.

“It supports us in two ways. One, it’s participating in the activity. That’s as encouraging for the young people in this community as anything else – is that they see that this is something that I’m going to do when I’m older as well,” said Cutler. “It’s not just something they’re going to do in high school – they can do this throughout the rest of their lives – and use that for better health throughout their entire lives. That, and obviously there’s the financial gain – we’re going to raise some funds to split between our program and Knoxville cross country.”

New entries will be accepted up to the start of the race, which begins at 8:00 a.m. this morning at the North Overlook Beach – just northeast of the dam on County Highway T-15. Spectators from both communities are encouraged to come out and support the runners.