By Alex Paul
Chronicle staff

     Former Gonzaga University and Brewster High School basketball star David Pendergraft will talk to young people about staying healthy during the eighth annual Autumn Leaf Walk/Run Saturday, Oct. 11, in Okanogan.
     The event is coordinated by Mid-Valley Hospital and supported by local sponsors. Last year’s event attracted more than 600 persons from throughout Washington, according to Nancy Nash, the hospital’s outreach coordinator.
     In June, Pendergraft earned his third straight north central Washington sports award; he was named college male athlete of the year. Last year, in his senior year at Gonzaga, Pendergraft started 32 out of 32 games and averaged 8.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game for the Bulldogs.
     “He’s going to talk to the kids about healthy exercise and bring some things from Gonzaga,” hospital administrator Mike Billing said during a planning meeting Sept. 17.
     The meeting drew representatives from Mid-Valley Hospital, the City of Okanogan, GEAR UP programs for students, Pepsi-Cola, The Chronicle, Omak Middle School and Omak High School, Okanogan County Public Health and North Cascades Athletic Club, plus students and parents.
     “The community is really taking ownership of this,” Nash said.
     Winner of the annual logo contest will be announced soon, Nash said. The winner will receive a bicycle, donated by The Bike Shop, Okanogan, and will get to wear a T-shirt with the winning logo printed on it.
     Participants at the meeting discussed the possibility of creating a challenge among area businesses and civic groups to see how many teams of five each can enter.
     “The idea is to get people up and moving,” Nash said. “Maybe we can have an award for the best team uniform and for the team that donates the most food for the food drive.”
     Winner of the best costume award will receive a night’s stay at Sun Mountain Lodge, Nash said. All routes will start and end at the former Food Depot building.
     Routes include one-mile, 5K and 10K distances. Pre-registration is suggested, but participants can register until 9:30 a.m. the day of the event, organizers say.
     No bikes, scooters or skateboards are allowed on any of the routes, organizers noted.
     There is a suggested donation of one can of food per person for local food banks.
     Participants who register by Sept. 30 and complete the race will receive a free T-shirt. Sizes range from youth small to adult XXX.
     Registration forms can be picked up at Mid-Valley Hospital, The Chronicle or online at www.autumnleafrun.com, or by visiting the event’s link on The Chronicle’s Web site at www.omakchronicle.com.
     The next volunteer meeting will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday,
Oct. 1, in Mid-Valley Hospital conference rooms C and D. Race bags will be stuffed and dinner will be provided, organizers say.
     More information is available from Nash, 826-8184.