See a prairie up close and learn interesting facts about tallgrass prairie ecosystems on Sept. 17 during Friends of the Sangamon Valley’s Run for the Prairie 10K, 5K and one-mile family fun run at Springfield’s 190-acre Centennial Park. The 6.2-mile, 3.1-mile and one-mile low-impact races on Centennial Park’s grass trails are timed but not sanctioned, and the race offers T-shirts and medals to all 10K and 5K participants. The 10K race begins at 9 a.m., and registration costs $45. The 5K race begins at 10 a.m., and registration costs $35. The one-mile fun run begins at 10:30 a.m., and registration costs $10 for each individual runner under age 12 or $25 for up to four runners. All proceeds support the Friends of the Sangamon Valley’s stewardship efforts to restore and protect the natural areas of the lower Sangamon River watershed. For more information about Run for the Prairie and Friends of the Sangamon Valley, contact Vern LaGesse at 525-1410. To register online for the races, visit http://getmeregistered.com.