AT THIS YEAR'S RIVERFEST, YOU CAN RAMBLE OR RUN

For those into fitness, you now have two ways to participate in Riverfest '93: you can run or ramble.

The Kohlfeld Riverfest Run is in its 11th year, and the Riverfest Midnight Ramble, a bicycling tour of Cape Girardeau, is in its first year.

"The Riverfest Run has become a traditional way to kick off the weekend's activities," said Joy Gilbert, chairman of Kohlfeld Riverfest Run. "We attract family participation because many young children may take part in the one-mile race while one or both parents may take part in the longer race," she said.

The event features both a one-mile Fitness Walk and Fun Run and a five-and-a-quarter mile Road Run.

"For runners this is a major road run, so we draw many regular runners. But it is also a big run for joggers and the recreational runners," Gilbert said.

Participants come from a large area, including Southern Illinois and Kentucky, but the majority are from the Cape Girardeau area, Gilbert said. "They come for the race and then make a night of it at Riverfest," she said.

Last year 381 youths through seniors crossed the finish line, said Terry McDowell, chairman of the Cape Road Runners. "We're hoping to top 400 this year," he said.

For those who are competitive, awards are given, but the majority of the runners just want to participate in the race, Gilbert said. Therefore, everyone gets a commemorative ribbon when they finish, she said.

"To finish is to win," Gilbert said. "But other racers go for the awards," she said.

There are 55 trophies given for the age categories in the five-and-a-quarter-mile race and a gold watch from Kohlfeld is given to the first male and female to cross the finish line, Gilbert said.

Also, 48 trophies are given in the one-mile race for those who try to get competitive, Gilbert said. "But most are there for fitness and fun," she said.

For those who prefer bicycling over running, the Riverfest Midnight Ramble is for you. New to Riverfest this year, it is a bicycling tour of Cape Girardeau that is scheduled to be held at 12:30 a.m. Saturday.

The Midnight Ramble was inspired by a similar event that is held each summer in St. Louis and draws thousands of riders, said Judy Cureton, member of Velo Girardeau Bicycle Club. "Some of our bike club went on the ride last year and we envisioned something smaller here in conjunction with Riverfest," she said.

Riverfest's Midnight Ramble is a family activity, said Tim Blattner, Riverfest Midnight Ramble chairman. "The ramble is a leisurely tour of the city in the cool of the midnight hour," he said. "It is not a race," he said. "It's a ride that all participants complete at their own pace."

Riders will have the option of two routes: one of six miles and another of 12 miles.

Registration is $5 per rider on or before 9 p.m. Friday and the registration area will be set up at the corner of Broadway and Main from 5 to 9 p.m. On-site registration will begin after 9 p.m. at the Show Me Center and will carry a $7 per-rider charge.

Ramble check-in will begin at 11 p.m. Friday in front of the Show Me Center, the starting point for the ride, said Blattner.

Free on-site bicycle safety checks will be provided by Cape Bicycle, Blattner said. Post-ride breakfast refreshments will be provided by Schnucks. All participants will receive an official Riverfest T-shirt with a special reflective backside, which is to be worn during the ride.

"We would like the Midnight Ramble to become part of the Riverfest celebration we have here every year," said Cureton. "We also hope the ride will promote an interest in bicycling.

"This being the first year, we'll see how it goes and go from there. But we hope we have a lot of people join us."

The Riverfest Midnight Ramble is being hosted by Velo Girardeau. The event sponsors are St. Francis Medical Center, Southeast Missouri Hospital and Drury Lodge.