Last fall, in honor of their friend Justin Bowlby, a University of Puget Sound student and fraternity member who died of an accidental overdose in 2007, members of the UPS Beta Theta Pi chapter created a team which stepped up to help raise money for the Issaquah Rotary Run’s chosen charity.

This year the Rotary Run is back and following the success of the team activities last fall the Issaquah Rotary chapter is encouraging teams from across the region to get involved in the event and fundraising.

“The more the merrier,” said Dr. Larry Greenblatt, a past president of the Issaquah Rotary and co-chair for the run. He said after the success of the team’s ability to fundraise last year Rotary is supporting any and every team which wants to participate. The team aspect gives support during the actual race, providing runners and walkers with people they know to participate with, and it also helps with fundraising.

Bowlby, who was from Issaquah, died in June of 2007 of an accidental overdose of methadone. Following his death, his parents discovered Science and Management of Addictions (SAMA), a foundation based in Seattle created by two doctors who were looking for an effective treatment for their daughter, who struggled with drug addictions. In honor of that work the Issaquah Rotary chose the SAMA foundation and donated over $7,000 from the 2008 Rotary Run to SAMA.

Friend’s of the Bowlby’s and those who knew Justin at PLU joined the cause last October to help make sure the run was a success, bringing in over 150 entries from UPS alone to make the event the biggest in it’s 32 year history. This year the Rotary Run is back and once again the proceeds from the event will help raise money for SAMA to help eliminate the disease of substance addiction in youth.

“Our hope is to raise awareness and funds for the organization,” he said. He said this is also the first year the organization will be using a software called Team Raiser, to help people register online, as well as to accept donations. By using the online registration individuals can form a team, join an existing team or register as an individual. People who are intereted in helping, but who may not want to participate in the actual event can also donate online.

Last year’s 5k run/walk, 10k run and 1k kid’s dash had approximately 1,750 participants, but Greenblatt said this year they expect more because of being able to sign up online.

“We’re anticipating a couple thousand runners,” he said. The course, which Greenblatt described as fast and flat, begins and ends at the intersection of NW Gilman Blvd. and 12th Ave.

He said teams of any size are encouraged to sign up, and that people shouldn’t feel intimidated by the run, walkers are also welcomed and of course anyone is welcome to donate to the cause. Greenblatt said they are also looking for volunteers for race day to help with the staging of the event.

Registration at the online site (http://rci.convio.net/site/TR/Events/General?fr_id=1040&pg=entry) is open until midnight on Oct. 1. Participants will also be able to register at the Issaquah location of FootZone on Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., or runners can sign up the day of the race for a $5 fee. Participants who register prior to the event will receive a shirt. The fees for the 5k or 10k run is $33, for 5k or 10k run participants under the age of 15 the cost is $22 and the kids 1k run or walk is $11 to register.

Prizes for the top finishers will be awarded, with cash prizes for the top men and women finishers in the 10k event. There will also be a prize for the top fundraiser, $100 and a Zeek’s pizza party for the top fundraising team.

Sign up for the race at Rotary Run 2009 or by visiting the SAMA Foundation Web site at www.samafoundation.org.