Gate-to-Gate registration begins Saturday Published May 6, 2008 By Lois Walsh 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Memorial Day is right around the corner, which means the base is preparing for its 23rd annual Gate-to-Gate Run. This year's run/walk is set for May 26, starting at 7:30 a.m. The race is a premier event for race enthusiasts. Registration begins on May 10 at the base exchange from the hours of 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Participants can also register on line at active.com. Final registration is at Santa Rosa Mall on May 24, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. "There's several good reasons to register early," said Don Cox, event director. "Registration is limited to the first 2,000 participants and the cost to register is $15 before May 9 instead of $20 until May 24." Last year's race hosted approximately 1,600 runners. It was the first time for a new course that eliminated the need for buses to transport runners. The 4.4 mile, point-to-point course starts at the Child Development center, winding up to and then following Eglin Blvd. to the Memorial Drive at the end of the Runway, winding around to finish in Unity Park, near Oak Hill Elementary School. There will be flowers for each runner to drop at the Veterans Memorial to honor fallen service members on Memorial Day. Water/aid stations will be just after the 1, 2, and 3 mile markers. Splits will be called at each mile. There is a separate free children's fun run after the Gate to Gate run. It will begin at the corner of Chinquapin Dr and Eglin Blvd. and proceed beyond the All Veterans Memorial and back. Participation T-Shirts will be given at the end of the run. It will start at approximately 9:00 am. A team trophy will be awarded to the top three teams in open and military divisions. A Military Spirit trophy will be awarded to the military unit with the largest participation. Mr. Cox said that due to base security, all participants must be registered no later than Saturday, May 24. They must have a photo identification to enter the base Monday morning at the West Gate. "Picking up your package at the (Santa Rosa) Mall on May 24 helps with access to the base," Mr. Cox said. "Final package pickup is at the finish area the morning of the race." For more information on the Gate-to-Gate run, call 882-1482.