MASSENA -- The 4th Annual Alcoa Employee Food Drive 5k Run/Walk will be held Oct. 12 at Robert Moses State Park’s Barnhart Beach Pavilion. The event raises funds for Meals on Wheels, the Massena Neighborhood Center, Society of St. Vincent DePaul and the Salvation Army, all beneficiaries of the Alcoa Employee Food Drive.

Registration runs from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., and the race begins at 9 a.m. Registration is $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under, and t-shirts will be handed out on a first-come, first-serve basis. Runners and walkers of all levels are welcome to participate. Participants under 18 must have a parent or guardian sign a waiver in the presence of race officials.

The course starts at the Barnhart Beach Pavilion, proceeds to the marina, through the new camping area and ends back at the pavilion. Changing facilities will be available at the start and end of the race. Pets, bikes, skateboards and rollerblades are not permitted.

Awards will be handed out for top male and female overall finisher, oldest and youngest runners, and the first place and second place male and female in the following age groups: 12 and under; 13-19; 20-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59 and; 60 and over. Door prizes will be awarded by a drawing with all participants entered to win.

This year’s event is being held in honor of Frank Vida, 86, a lifelong Massena fitness enthusiast who retired from Reynolds Metals. A Hungarian immigrant and former prisoner of war, Vida was known to ride his racing bikes 40-50 miles a day and exercise regularly until health concerns slowed his routine two years ago.

“He was into fitness and nutrition 20 or 30 years ago – before everyone was talking about it,” said Vida’s son, Billy Vida. “He always believed if he ate well, didn’t smoke and didn’t drink, he could live a long, good, healthy life.”

To register for the 5k, or for more information, call Tom Seguin, race director, at 769-6781. Participants can download registration forms and see a course map at the Alcoa Employee Food Drive 5k listing in the “Events” section on the Massena Chamber of Commerce website.