Rabbit Run 5K and 1-mile fun walk planned for Purcell

The annual Chickasaw Nation-sponsored Chokfi Malili ("Rabbit Run") 5K and 1-Mile Fun Walk will take place Saturday, May 14, at the Purcell City Lake near the Purcell Multi-Purpose Building, 1400 Chandler Road in Purcell, Oklahoma.

The 1-mile fun walk begins at 8 a.m. and the individual 5K at 8:30 a.m.

Online registration will be open until May 12 at 11 a.m. for the in-person run.

There is also a virtual race option available that gives individuals the opportunity to run a 5K on their own time and submit the results online. The virtual race began May 1 at 6 a.m. and ends May 15 at 5 p.m.

This event is offered at no cost and is open to the public. On-site registration will be available the day of the run.

Strollers are acceptable, but pets are not allowed.

Visit RabbitRun5k.ItsYourRace.com to learn about the award categories, rules and how the event follows COVID-19 precautions.

AYA – Your Fitness Journey

Runners can learn about Chickasaw history and culture at the Rabbit Run with AYA, the free, interactive mobile walking app. It is available on Google Play and Apple.

"AYA" means "to go" or "to journey" in the Chickasaw language. Using step-tracking technology, the app takes the runners on a journey to unlock traditional prayers, hymns, locations and Chickasaw words.

Their route is mapped along the same route Chickasaw ancestors walked during removal from the Homeland to the Indian Territory, a path that is reversed for the app from current-day Oklahoma to Mississippi. Along the way, users will get acquainted with historical sites and landmarks.

AYA syncs to step counters in Fitbit devices or directly to phones with Apple Health kit.

For more information and updates regarding AYA, visit AYAWalk.com, Facebook.com/AYAWalkApp, Twitter.com/AYAWalkApp or Instagram.com/AYAWalkApp.