(COLUMBIA, Tenn. - Feb. 25, 2012) - - - It's time to lace up your running shoes. The Columbia State Community College Respiratory Care Club is hosting its 5^th Annual "Lungs of Steel" 5k Run/Walk on Saturday, March 16 at 9 a.m.

"It's exciting to see the 5k continue each year," said Johnathan Haywood, respiratory care student and co-organizer of the event. "We can all get together and work toward the same goal. It's a great bonding experience for the entire class."

"This year, we're doing something special by donating a portion of the proceeds to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation," Haywood said

The 5k run/walk will take place at Maury County Park in Columbia. In addition, there will be a one-mile fun-run for kids and a one-mile pet run/walk.

Pre-registration is open until Friday, March 8. It is $15 to pre-register for the 5k run/walk, and the one-mile fun-run and pet walk/run are $5 each.

Race-day registration begins at 8 a.m. and is $20 for the 5k run/walk. The one-mile fun-run and pet run/walk are $10 each.

In addition to donating to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Columbia State Respiratory Care Club has planned the event to raise money for the state respiratory care convention in Nashville and the state exam board review. The event was planned in conjunction with Maury County Parks and Recreation.

The race is open to everyone in the Maury County community, and the registration form is available online at www.columbiastate.edu/5k-run-walk.

Columbia State is a two-year college, serving a nine-county area in southern Middle Tennessee with locations in Columbia, Franklin, Lawrenceburg, Lewisburg and Clifton. As Tennessee's first community college, Columbia State is committed to increasing access and enhancing diversity at all five campuses. Columbia State is a member of the Tennessee Board of Regents, the sixth largest higher education system in the nation. For more information, please visit www.columbiastate.edu.