THE MIDNIGHT RAMBLE

Riverfest '94 will kick off Friday evening with the 12th annual Kohlfeld Riverfest Run. The second annual Riverfest Midnight Bicycle Ramble begins shortly after midnight Saturday.

Runners and walkers of all ages are welcome to enter the 5 1/4-mile run or milelong fitness walk and fun run, which start at 7:30 p.m. at the Boatmen's Bank parking lot at Main and Broadway. Entry forms are available at Howard's, the Southeast Missouri State University Student Recreation Center and the Chamber of Commerce, or by calling Joy Gilbert at 335-3617.

Race day registration is $7. Entries will be accepted up to 7 p.m. on the day of the race.

Sponsored by Kohlfeld Distributing, all participants receive a Riverfest Run T-shirt, a commemorative finish ribbon and post-race refreshments. A total of 107 trophies will be given to winners in male and female divisions in both distances.

New this year are savings bonds totaling $600 and donated by Boatmen's Bank. They will be awarded to first- through third-place and first-master finishers.

Approximately 400 people of all ages crossed the finish line in 1993.

Corporate sponsors for the run are Capital Bank, St. Francis Medical Center, Southwestern Bell Telephone and KBSI Fox 23.

Last year the Riverfest Midnight Ramble, coordinated through the Riverfest Association and the Velo Girardeau Bicycle Club, attracted 200 riders. This year, organizers hope as many as 400 riders check in.

Registration fee is $5. Bikers can sign up at Cape Bicycle Shop, 1802 Broadway, or from 5-10 p.m. Friday at the Riverfest Midnight Ramble sign-up table at North Main and Broadway.

The late registration fee for bikers who register in front of the Show Me Center at 11 p.m. will be $7. Check-in time for bikers is 11 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. on the North Sprigg Street side of the Show Me Center.

A Riverfest Midnight Ramble T-shirt will be given to the first 200 bikers who check in at the Show Me Center.

Two routes are planned. Riders may choose from a 19-mile route or a 6-mile trip. The ramble is open to all ages, but children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Prior to the ride, Cape Bicycle Shop will offer free bicycle safety checks. Post-ride breakfast refreshments will be provided by Schnucks.