Fourth annual Ryan's Run kicks off June 23

On Saturday June 23, the Ryan Andrew Kaiser Memorial Foundation- (www.RAKMF.org) along with the Jersey Shore Running Club, will hold its fourth annual 5K run/walk at the Mountain Hill School in Middletown.

The event will be a 3.1-mile run/walk meandering through Middletown's scenic horse country, and Huber Woods Park. Kiddy dashes will follow. The event will start at 9 a.m. with food, drink, music, awards and raffles to follow.

RAKMF is a nonprofit established in 2003 after the sudden death of Ryan Kaiser, 6, who was born with congenital heart disease. The foundation has three philanthropic goals: to financially assist local families of critically ill children; to raise and donate funds to hospitals and doctor groups that specialize in the cure and care of pediatric heart patients; to help build children's parks and playgrounds.

Last year $30,000 was raised and funds disbursed to: Ronald McDonald House in Long Branch to build a child's playroom; families staying at Deborah Heart and Lung Center; building a new playground at Leonardo grade school; the Congenital Heart Surgeons Society.

Also in 2006 the foundation partnered with a family building Kortney's Playground in Oceanport in honor of their daughter, who was lost to cancer.

For more information on the RAKMF or Ryan's Run, visit www.ryansrun.org or contact Andy Kaiser, at 888-664-9522 or e-mail to: info@RAKMF.org.