Even in these sweltering summer temperatures, runners and walkers in the Polk County area are in training for the sixth annual Ache Around the Lake Run/Walk – a benefit for St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation set for Saturday, Sept. 24 at 8 a.m. at Lake Lanier near Tryon.

Ache Around the Lake is a community event that includes three ways to support non-profit St. Luke’s Hospital: The Ache (8K or 5 miles), The Ouch (a two-mile fun run) and a race morning brunch at the historic Lake Lanier Tea House.

St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation will use the dollars raised through this year’s Ache Around the Lake to go toward the purchase of an Omnicell One-cell Omnisupplier for anesthesia. Hospital officials said the Omnicell supply system will give St. Luke’s a secure and flexible means of managing anestesia supplies and medication, improving patient care and safety.

This technology will provide quick access to supplies and extensive reporting tools at the touch of a few buttons, the hospital said. The electronic documentation software will help St. Luke’s meet regulatory requirements while the convenience of secure, in-room medication storage will offer anesthesia providers and nursing staff additional time to focus on patient care.

The Ache course is an 8K (4.97 miles) USATF-certified course. It has many inclines and switchbacks, with the last half mile being relatively flat. Scenic views of this hidden mountain lake make The Ache an unforgettable fall road race, organizers said. The Ouch offers race participants a fun two-miler with a few hills.

The Race Morning Brunch at the Tea House (7:30 – 10:30 a.m.) offers a delectable menu and autumn views of Lake Lanier as racers make their way to the nearby finish line. This is the perfect way to support St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation for those who would rather dine and cheer instead of “ache” and “ouch.”

The brunch is available to runners and walkers after their lap around the lake. All tickets must be purchased in advance at the foundation office. Call 828-894-2693 to make a reservation.

The first 200 registered participants will receive T-shirts.

For more information, or to register, visit www.achearoundthelake.org.

– article submitted by Jennifer Wilson