Bloomsday is right around the corner, and for the 36th year in a row the Providence Group Health Clinic

is providing free training for the big race at Spokane Falls Community College.

For the past five weeks the Providence Group Health Clinic has been running free training. The training started Saturday, March 16th with one mile, and each following Saturday, the length of the course was increased by one mile to help safely and gradually prepare all participants for the Bloomsday event on May 5th. This Saturday they will be running and walking for six miles, and seven the following Saturday for a close feel to the 7.46 mile race.

“This training really helps to prepare you for the real trip. I’m 71, and this always leaves positive results for me,” Steve Corker, a former Spokane City Council President, said.

“We have a personal trainer come down and initiate warm-ups for the participants before we go outside, as well as a different speaker each weekend to talk about nutrition or health tips,” Anne McKeon, coordinator for Providence Health Care Marketing/Public Relations said.

McKeon was happy to see that 841 people had signed up for the training this year and regardless of the weather being what it was, people still came to run or walk with smiles and determination.

“I’ve been here for 24 years, and I love my job and being here to help run these trainings every year,” Carol Ann Cochran, a nurse for the Providence Group Health Clinic said.

“The early mornings aren’t a huge bother to me, because I always have fun seeing the participants and being involved with a great group of volunteers that help out each year,” Cochran said. She also takes pictures of people at the top of Doomsday Hill, so don’t forget to say hello and have your achievement captured in a photograph this year.

Come join the remaining training courses, at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday the 20th and 27th in building 7 on the SFCC campus. Remember this year to dress warm, eat healthy, work hard, and most of all have fun at Spokane’s 2013 Bloomsday event.