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The eighth annual Grin & Bear It 5K Run/Walk will be held at 8 a.m. Saturday, September 30, on the Cass Regional Medical Center campus. The top three finishers of each age group will be awarded medals and an award will also be given to the largest 5K team. The overall male and female winners will receive a commemorative teddy bear.

Registration is required and includes a t-shirt. Reduced "early bird" registration fees are available through July 31. Registration forms are available at www.grinandbearitrun.com and on Cass Regional's Facebook page. Online registration is available at www.runsignup.com. Same-day registration is available the morning of the event beginning at 6:45 a.m.

A free pancake breakfast will be served to the participants starting at 8:30 a.m. in the Healing Garden Courtyard. Special thanks to Chris Kurzweil of Kurzweils' Country Meats for serving and providing the meal. During the event, participants can also shop for perennials, mums and other fall color favorites at the annual Plant Sale. Proceeds from the sale benefit the Cass Regional Gardens.

The Grin & Bear It 5K is held in memory of Cara Jo Roberts, a young wife and mother who passed away in 2008. Her nickname was "Care Bear," which is how the event got its name. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Patient Assistance Fund at Cass Regional. The fund helps Cass Regional patients in need with expenses such as transportation, medication and medical supplies.