Register Now for PCH 5K Run/3K Walk

Pana Community Hospital invites the public to participate in the first LiveWell 5K Run/3K Walk to be held on Saturday, May 26^th at 8:00 am.  The race begins in historic Kitchell Park and takes runners/walkers through the streets of Pana and past some to the community’s historic homes and ends at Pana Community Hospital.  Participants may register online at https://runsignup.com/Race/IL/Pana/LiveWell5KRun3KWalk. 

(Registration forms are also available at the LiveWell Fitness Center or the Pana Community Hospital Foundation office and will be accepted on the day of the event from 6:30-7:30 am).  T-shirts are guaranteed to participants who are registered by Wednesday, May 16.  Cost for the event is $25 in advance and $30 the day of the race.  All participants will receive a commemorative medal and entered into a drawing for prizes to be awarded after the race. 

Proceeds from the race benefit the PCH Building Project and the local Brian McMillen Scholarship Fund.  Trina Casner, President and CEO of Pana Community Hospital stated:  “The hospital and our LiveWell Center had wanted to host a community race for some time, but we weren’t sure when a good time to host the race might be.  There are many races in our area and we wanted to choose a convenient weekend for families.”  For the past 10 years, many Pana residents have been traveling to Springfield to participate in the Brian McMillen Memorial Run.  Last year was the final year for that race that took place annually on Memorial Day Weekend.  “We always felt this would be a great weekend to host a race, but I have always felt this was Brian’s weekend,” stated Casner.

After consulting with the McMillen family, it was decided to bring a 5K Run/3K Walk to Pana that would benefit the hospital and continue to honor the memory of Brian.  A scholarship in Brian’s name has been given every year since Brian’s death to a Pana High School senior.  Proceeds from the race will ensure funds continue for this local memorial scholarship as well as support the local hospital. 

Brian is the son of Terry and Jane McMillen and was killed in the line of duty on October 28, 2007.  Brian was a 2001 graduate of Pana High School and received his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from UIS at Springfield.  He served in the Air National Guard and went on to become a state police officer with the Illinois State Police.