Registration for the third annual Chad Erickson Memorial Du Run Run starts at 9 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, in La Crosse’s Riverside Park, with races starting at 10 a.m.
Last year’s event raised more than $11,000 for Special Olympics, a program that Chad Erickson became involved in after suffering severe brain damage during open heart surgery at the age of 9. By the time Chad passed away in 1995 at 15 years old, Special Olympics had become a big part of his life.
Participants between the ages of 3 and 12 will run, bike and run some more around the park, with lengths of the runs varying for each age group. Course lengths include the following:
The required registration fees for the Du Run Run are $15 per child for the first two children registered and $10 for each additional child. For the fee, each child will receive the official Du Run Run T-shirt.
Registration fees can either be paid online or turned in on the day of the race.
In addition, participants who raise money through pledges will be eligible for a range of prizes, from a lunch cooler for raising $50 to a gift card for raising $500.
In addition to the athletic contests, the event also willinclude fun inflatables from the Big Event Company, bike safety checks provided by River Trail Cycles, prizes, face painting, goodie bags, healthy snacks and booths featuring Misty’s Dance Studio, Franciscan Skemp, American Family Insurance, Optical Fashions and the Onalaska Police Department.
The first 75 kids to register online will get a Du Run Run water bottle. For more information or to register, check out the event Web site at www.specialolympicswisconsin.org.

