Runners and walkers from across Michigan will gather at Detroit's Belle Isle Park for the 8th annual "Race for Justice" on Saturday, October 30, 2004.

This year's 5k Walk and 5k Run will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m. and a shotgun start at 9:00 a.m. Participation for the Race for Justice is open to the public with registration fees of $20 through October 23 and $25 the day of the event. This fee includes a 2004 Race for Justice T-shirt and refreshments. Registration fees will be waived for runners collecting contributions totaling $100 for the Access to Justice (ATJ) Fund in advance of the event.

This event is hosted by the Young Lawyers Section of the State Bar of Michigan. Contributions to the Race For Justice will support the ATJ Development Campaign, one of the State Bar's justice initiatives to ensure that a strong civil legal system is available to all regardless of their financial means. Specifically, the 2004 Race for Justice will support the ATJ Operations Fund for general legal assistance needs throughout the state.

Last year, the Access to Justice Fund supported 40 civil legal aid programs that handled more than 46,000 cases for low-income Michigan families. Donations are received and managed by the Michigan State Bar Foundation, which distributes designated funds and awards grants from undesignated funds to eligible nonprofit programs.

Pre-registration forms for the 2004 Race for Justice are available at www.michbar.org or by contacting Jennifer Williams at (800) 968-1442, ext. 6421.