This year’s Bedford Rotary Memorial Road Races will have something for everyone – whether you’re cheering runners on from the sidelines or visiting the many displays at the new health fair.

In addition to the 34th annual Memorial Road Races on Saturday, May 17, the Bedford Rotary Club will host a health and wellness fair at Bedford High School.

The fair, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., will include information on nutrition, therapy, insurance, green living, elder care, chiropractic care, exercise equipment, medical care, vitamin and herbal remedies, and more, all conveniently located in and outside the school.

“It will appeal to everyone, young and old,” said Rotarian Bill Gere. “Runners are healthoriented as well as their families. I think it’ll be a good fit.”

More than 1,000 runners from across New England participant in the 5K or 12K races, which are part of the New Hampshire Grand Prix Champion Series.

The start gun sounds for the 12K race at 8:30 a.m., followed by the 5K at 11 a.m. This year, the races start and finish at the high school.

“The best runners in the Northeast are in the 12K race,” said Gere. “The 5K is a familytype race, where runners can walk if they wish.”

Members of the Granite State Ham Radio Association will man various stations to record and announce runners’ progress.

“Each runner has a chip on their shoe lace that triggers their finish time,” said Rotarian *** Bellerose.

At the finish line, runners can enjoy a massage as well. “And, it’ll be a perfect time to have lunch,” said Gere, adding that food and beverages will be available.

The race is also an excellent opportunity to raise money for your group or organization, as long as it benefits a specific cause, said Gere.

“Any group of people can raise money and have a lot of fun at the same time,” said Gere. “If everyone got pledges, they can raise well over $100 each.” Groups interested in fundraising, may register for the race by contacting Bill Gere at gerenh@comcast.net or 669- 1329.

As an incentive and to get give your fundraising effort a headstart, the Bedford Rotary Club will award $500 to the group that registers the largest number of 5K runners or walkers. The Health Fair is free to the public, and visitors are urged to arrive via Route 101 to Nashua Road.

Race organizers met with the police and Parks and Recreation in March to go over the race courses and plan for the Health Fair traffic while the races are in progress.

“We all agreed to limit the incoming traffic to the Route 101/Nashua Road entry so as not to interfere with the runners,” said Gere.

Cones will be used going up the hill to the high school as well as signs directing traffic to the rear of the school, where Rotarians will guide parking.

As of April 15, the following exhibitors have signed up for the Health Fair:

Amoskeag Chiropractic; State Farm, Ackerson; CMC Wellness Center; N.H. Chiropractic and Health; Elliott Wellness Center; Stop and Shop; Hannaford supermarkets; Nashua Home Health; Executive Health Club; Edward Rush Chiropractor; Advanced Injury Treatment Center; Bikram Yoga of Manchester; Ed Rusher Chiropractor; New Hope Christian Fellowship; New Hampshire Eye Associates; Advanced Injury Treatment; Elder Music, Paul Bordeleau.

In addition, the Bedford Police Department, Bedford Fire Department, Granite Sate Amateur Radio Association, the American Red Cross, Boy Scouts of America and Bedford Rotary Club will be on hand. Clam King Restaurant is scheduled to serve food.

If your organization would like to be an exhibitor at the Health Fair, call *** Bellerose at 860-2919. For more information about the race or to register to run, visit rotarybedfordnh. com or coolrunning.com.