ITHACA, N.Y. -- In a fitting tribute to the late Mario St. George Boiardi, a selfless contributor to the Cornell University and Tompkins County communities, the first annual "21 Run" will take place Saturday, May 7. The 5-kilometer run and memorial walk was founded to honor Boiardi, a former captain of the Cornell men's lacrosse team who died during a game March 17, 2004. The 21 Run will raise funds for youth literacy programs.

"George was interested in helping out wherever he was," said Cornell student Ethan Vedder, publicity chair for the 21 Run. "It would be a fitting tribute to him that we would do something along these lines to give back to our community."

The name for the 21 Run reflects the number on Boiardi's lacrosse jersey. Proceeds from the run will go the Family Reading Partnership and the Big Red Readers in Ithaca. Big Red Readers is composed of Cornell athletes who volunteer to visit area elementary schools, where they read to children; the Family Reading Partnership is a not-for-profit organization that promotes literacy in Tompkins County. "The 21 Run will serve as a fund-raiser that is consistent with George's passion for teaching and improving the community around him," according to race organizers. "Help remember George and promote children's literacy by running, pledging for someone else to run or by sponsoring the 21 Run directly." 

The race will be held at the Cornell Plantations on Forest Home Drive in Ithaca. Registration begins at 1 p.m. There will be live music and entertainment at 1:30 p.m. and the actual 5-kilometer run, a memorial walk and a 1-kilometer "Family Storybook Walk" all start at 2:21 p.m. Cost is $15 per runner and $30 per family. Group rates also are available. For more information, contact Becky Hollenbeck, Teagle Hall, Campus Road, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853. Or, call (607) 255-0457 or e-mail Cornell21Run@netscape.net.