Wellness Committee Monitoring Weather for Saturday's 5K

VALDOSTA - With the anticipated approach of tropical storm Fay, the Valdosta State University Wellness Committee is monitoring weather conditions for the Centennial 5K Fun Run/Walk scheduled for 7 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23.

Several weather agencies, including The Weather Channel's Web site, www.weather.com , predict that Fay may follow a path that will cross through or near Lowndes County area between Friday and Sunday. Additionally, the National Weather Service has forecasted showers and thunderstorms for Saturday: http://www.valdosta.edu/news/redirect/wx.082008/ .

Shawn Phippen, Wellness Committee member and assistant director for Campus Recreation, has worked with Todd Smoot of Get Active to plan Saturday's event. While both men agree that the race will not be cancelled due to rainfall, they assure the race will not continue in the case of lightening or any other situation that may severely impact the health of participants.

"Of course safety is our utmost concern; however rain and wind will not cause dangerous conditions for a 5K, which many participants will finish in under 30 minutes," Phippen said. "We are monitoring weather conditions and will keep everyone informed."

VSU will continue to monitor Fay's path and should decide by 6 p.m. Friday if the event will be postponed. Please check VSU News, www.valdosta.edu/news for updates.