PORT TOWNSEND — World-class marathoners will be featured during Jefferson Healthcare hospital’s inaugural Runners Symposium on Sunday.
Admission is free to the symposium, which will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the hospital at 834 Sheridan St.
The event is the first of its kind in Jefferson County and on the North Olympic Peninsula, said Kate Burke, hospital marketing manager.
Speakers will talk on a variety of running-related topics on the second floor of the Dirksen Auditorium.
Top runners are the keynote speakers.
Kim Jones, a Port Townsend native, was ranked third in the world in 1991.
Jon Sinclair is the all-time cumulative men’s point leader in the Runners World Road Race rankings since 1979.
They will discuss “The Power of Lifelong Running” at 11:30 a.m.
From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., they will be in the Puget Room.
Other speakers
Other speakers in the Dirksen Auditorium will be:
■ 12:30 p.m. — Dr. David King, Jefferson Healthcare’s newest orthopedic surgeon, on “Preventing Common Joint Injuries.”
■ 1:30 p.m. — Dr. Erik Brand of Swedish Medical Center, the medical doctor for the London Olympics; Dr. Sean Colio, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in Seattle; and Dr. Jeffrey Moo, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, will discuss “Preparing for Race Day.”
■ 2:30 p.m. — Dr. Nathan Segerson, director of clinical cardiac electrophysiology at Kitsap Cardiology, on “The Mature Runner’s Heart.”
The Physical Therapy Speaker Series will be in the Olympic Room.
At noon is planned a talk on the importance of good hip strength in running and walking.
At 2 p.m., Mitzi Hazard, physical therapist and inpatient clinical supervisor at Jefferson Healthcare, will discuss foot pain.
On the main floor, physical therapy screenings for functional movement, lung capacity, dynamic ultrasound and foot screenings and shoe recommendations will be ongoing all day.
Chef Arran Stark will demonstrate healthy cooking in the cafe at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Prizes, registration
Vendor booths and raffle prizes are planned, as well as the opportunity to register for the Rhody Run and training programs for adults at Port Townsend Athletics and Kids Boot Camp with Jefferson County Parks and Recreation.
Tickets will be on sale for $10 for Jefferson Healthcare’s Dine & Dash, set in the hospital cafe from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. May 18.
It will combine a carb-load dinner with early race registration pickup for the Rhody Run the next day.
The Runners Symposium is being offered as a kickoff to the running season and in conjunction with the Kids Boot Camp and CrossFit for adults conditioning programs starting Monday for those who want to get in top shape for the Rhody Run.
Jefferson Healthcare is a major sponsor of the Rhody Run, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year.
Registration for the run will be accepted at the symposium, or runners can visit www.rhodyrun.org.
The Kids Fit Middle School Boot Camp is offered by Jefferson County Parks for children from 10 to 14 years old.
For more information or to register, visit www.countyrec.com.
The adult CrossFit is being held at Port Townsend Athletic Club.
Registration is being accepted at www.porttownsendathletic.com.
For more information about the symposium, visit www.jeffersonhealthcare.org/events.
