Turkey run in Dalton on Saturday, Oct. 17

The Rich Dalessandro Memorial Fall Turkey 5k Run and 2-mile Run/Walk will be held Oct. 17, starting at 8:30 a.m., in Dalton. The race, which will be held rain or shine, begins at the Dalton Intermediate School and will continue throughout the town. The race was created last year by the Dalessandro family in memory of their son and brother, Rich Dalessandro, who died two years ago from leukemia. It has now become an annual Dalton event and is a part of the Subway Challenge Series. Sign up on race-day or online at www.ohiochallengeseries.com.Dalessandro was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved the fall season, especially the start of turkey hunting season in October. He made a living as a carpenter and took pride in the detail and craftsmanship of his career. He was diagnosed with leukemia two years ago and still maintained a positive outlook. He was able to go into remission after the first round of chemotherapy, but after a bone marrow transplant four months later, he lost the battle.Unique wooden awards created by Starlaser will be given to the top three overall places and the top three in each age group of the 5k and 2-mile run. There will be plenty of other activities for those who are not participating in the race. In order to promote healthy living, a health fair will take place from 7-11 a.m., featuring booths from Aultman Hospital, Akron General, Dunlap West, Riverside General, and massage therapy. DJ Jeff Linder will provide music, donuts and cider will be available, as well as a variety of raffle baskets. Raffle tickets may be purchased for $2 each or 3 for $5.Part of the proceeds from these events will go to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and part to Amber Martinez, a 19-year-old girl in Dalton battling lymphoma. It is estimated that every 10 minutes a person dies from leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma, so plan to come to this event and make an impact in the lives of those battling these diseases.Registration by 5 p.m., Oct. 16, is $20, and race day registration is $24. Packet pickup and race day registration begin at 7 a.m. All runners will be timed with computer chips attached to their shoe. For more information on the race, contact Chrissy at mcpvcoach@hotmail.com.