Members of Sexual Assault Counseling and Information Services are hosting the Take Back the Day 5K on Sept. 27 at Sister City Park in order to be one step closer toward ending sexual assault.

The decision to host a 5K stemmed from an analysis of the demographics in the community, which holds a large number of runners.

The event is meant to encourage families, teens, adults and seniors to get active with some friendly competition outdoors. A shorter route is available for walkers and runners who do not wish to walk the full 3.1 miles.

Anne Wend, the community educator for SACIS, said the plan for the future is for the Take Back the Day 5K to become an annual event.

The 5K will always be hosted on the last weekend of September because of the ideal weather that early fall provides, Wend said.

Take Back the Day is planned to be the autumnal counterpart of SACIS’ Take Back the Night event, which takes place in April.

The Take Back the Day 5K is still in its pre-registration phase.

Online registration is open until Sept. 26 for the price of $20. Those who register for the race by Fridayare guaranteed to receive a Take Back the Day T-shirt on race day. Registration is also available on race day between 7 a.m. and 7:55 a.m. for $25. The race is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m.

Once the race has finished, SACIS board member Greg Trumbold will announce the winners. Sponsors can continue to offer support by calling SACIS through Sept. 27.

Though good weather is anticipated, in the event of rain, the race will be canceled without a reschedule date.

SACIS is an organization that offers counseling, education and advocacy programs to combat harassment, abuse and sexual assault in Coles, Cumberland and Clark counties.

Kyle Burton can be reached at 581-2812 or kcburton@eiu.edu.