World record may take a licking

POST FALLS - Give a lick.

Be a part of a world record ice cream licking attempt on Saturday.

The Boys and Girls Club of Kootenai County and Post Falls Food Bank invite the community to participate in the challenge after the Jordan Johnson Memorial Fun Run at the Greyhound Park and Event Center.

"It seemed like a natural fit to have exercise and post-exercise ice cream," said Ryan Davis, the youth club's executive director.

The fun run, named after the Post Falls High student who died in 2006 due to an enlarged heart, is a fundraiser for the club.

The events also culminate this month's school and community food drives. Schools that had the most spirit and raised the most food will be announced.

Mark Jones, the school district's alternative-to-suspension coordinator who helped organize the food drives and ice cream contest, said he's hoping about 3,000 people show up to be a part of the world record attempt.

"We want people hooting and hollering to make their claim to fame as well as wrap up the food drives with a fun party," he said.

Last year 2,694 people in Rock Island, Ill., simultaneously licked ice cream for a minute, expecting their effort will find its way into the Guinness Book of World Records.

"Help us beat this unofficial record right here in Kootenai County," Jones said. "We'll set a record for Idaho and the Northwest, but our goal is to have the world record."

The Idaho Dairyman's Association donated ice cream cups for the event.

Check in for the ice cream contest starts at 10 a.m. A countdown will start at 10:59 a.m. and participants will start licking for a minute at 11 a.m.

The fun run will start at 9 a.m. with 5K and 10K run/walks. There will also be a 1-kilometer kids' run. Both routes start in the Greyhound Park parking lot and connect to the Centennial Trail heading west.

Pre-registration is $18 for the longer runs and $10 for the kids run. Registration on Saturday is $20.

There will be snacks, vendor booths, live music and a climbing wall.

Donations for the food bank will be accepted.

The events are being combined this year to replace the spring community food drive that was held at Trading Co. Store in previous years.

"The food drive, Jordan Johnson run and ice cream contest is a natural collaboration," Jones said. "We're excited about it and hope it will be come an annual event."

For more information on the run, call 457-9089 or visit www.bgc-northidaho.org.