SPRINGFIELD - Prairie Heart Institute at St. Johns Hospital and WNNS Lite Rock 99 are proud to sponsor the 2004 Women's Distance Festival. The festival takes place on July 10 at 8:00 a.m. at Washington Park in Springfield, Ill.

The event consists of a 2-mile run and walk and a Kid's Fun Run for ages 10 and under, which begins at 7:45 a.m.

Proceeds from the race will benefit "Girls on the Run," a new program geared towards young girls. It emphasizes the promotion of healthy lifestyles and behaviors through exercise and education.

Medals will be given to the top overall winner in the walker and runner category. First and second place medals will be given in all age categories. First time participants will receive a special award. Also, the school team with the most entrants will receive $200 for their track program.

The Women's Distance Festival began in 1979 by RRCA in response to the absence of womens running events in the Olympics. The Women's Distance Festival has grown into a nationwide celebration of the determination and dedication of women across the United States. The race came to Springfield in the early 1980s and has become popular among walkers and runners alike. As the race evolved, so did the importance of educating women on their number one killer, cardiovascular disease. Prairie Heart Institute began partnering with the Springfield Road Runners Club to host the event and help women realize how they can prevent heart disease. Thanks to the ongoing support of Prairie Heart Institute and the community, the Women's Distance Festival is now an exciting event that more and more women look forward to each year.