Starting Aug. 27 cross-country youth can apply for free running shoes thanks to Humboldt Sponsors, a local charitable organization that funds youth programs. Now for the second year, funds are available to provide name-brand running shoes to third through twelfth grade cross-country runners.

Six Rivers Running Club (SRRC) administers a Youth Running Shoe Fund that awards 60 to 90 pairs of running shoes each year for the winter/spring season. Humboldt Sponsors granted $1,000 to expand the shoe fund to provide shoes this September. Last fall 48 pairs of shoes were awarded thanks to Humboldt Sponsors’ help.

”We want kids to run and if providing good fitting shoes allows them to participate and excel then we want to help,” explained Gary Timek, running club president. Applications will go out to all Humboldt County schools so that they can be distributed the first week of school. The deadline to be considered is Wednesday, Sept. 19.

Shoes will be awarded on Sept. 21 from The Jogg’N Shoppe in Arcata. Mike Williams, the owner, has been committed to the shoe fund program from the beginning and is an avid supporter of local running.

Applications can be downloaded at SRRC’s website at www.6rrc.com. Home school runners are welcome to apply. The application is easy to fill out and low-income runners will have preference.

Additional funds are being sought to provide as many shoes as possible. Any business, organization or individual interested in contributing to the shoe fund may do so by contacting the coordinator, Karen Brooks, at 822-7736.

Six Rivers Running Club, based in Humboldt County, hosts monthly fun runs and four large races each year: Foggy Bottom Milk Run in March, Avenue of the Giants Marathon in May, Atalanta’s Victory Run in June and Humboldt Redwoods Marathon in October. For upcoming events and results, including photos click to www.6rrc.com.