MURPHY (June 11, 2012) Baylor Medical Center at Garland is the title sponsor for the third annual A-Maize-ing 5K and Fun Run which serves as the opening event for the yearly Murphy Maize Days celebration on Saturday, Sept. 29, according to Stacy Buckley, HR Manager for the City of Murphy.

“We’re very grateful to the folks at Baylor Garland for sponsoring the run. The 5K and one-mile fun run get the day started on a positive note, and we’re very excited about this year’s affiliation with the medical center because not only does the run promotes healthy living, but the financial beneficiary promotes health as well,” she said.

The Fun Run starts at 8 a.m. and the 5K starts at 8:30 a.m. with both start and finish lines inside Plano ISD’s Jack Kimbrough Stadium on North Murphy Road. Proceeds from the race go directly to the Melanoma International Foundation. The race was conceived by planners as a way to raise funds for the organization in memory of the late Neal Golden, a City of Murphy employee who succumbed to melanoma two years ago.

While registration may be completed on race day, runners over 12 years of age who register online before Sept. 25 enjoy a discount on the entry fee and families can also take advantage of a group discount when registering early. Details on the fees and registration are available at www.murphymaizedays.com.

“For the third year in a row, the race literally opens a day filled with fun, food and family entertainment. And, the funds the race provides to the Melanoma International Foundation serve to help those afflicted with the disease, so it’s a win-win for everyone,” said Buckley.

Each entrant will receive a commemorative T-shirt along with refreshments after the race. The race is timed by electronic chip devices and the course will pass through a portion of Maxwell Creek.

“It’s not too soon to start limbering up and getting in a few training runs in anticipation of the race. While the race is usually run at a fairly good pace, there are prizes for top male and female finishers and prizes for the top three finishers in every age group,” concluded Buckley.