Youth Services Finalizing Details For Inaugural Race, Kids Run

Lace up your running shoes, or just lay your comfortable walkers by the door because it is almost time for Labor Day weekend’s newest “big event.” On Saturday, September 2, the inaugural Newtown Road Race 5K and Kid’s Run to benefit Newtown Youth Services (NYS) will be hitting the road.

The 5K starts at 9 am at Dickinson Memorial Park, with a separate Kid’s Fun Run at 10:15. Race day registration begins at 7:30.

“It’s a flat, fast, USATF sanctioned and certified course through some of the most scenic neighborhoods of Newtown,” said NYS chairman Chris Gardner. “They will be lots of fun and prizes and any walkers, runners, and families pushing strollers are invited to participate.”

There will be music along the course and a prerace stretch by Churchill Physical Therapy & Sports, Mr Gardner added. Along with the race will be lots of activities for the whole family, including face painting, a magician, and a chance for children to paint their own birdhouse.

During the event, Leif Becker of Southbury Academy of Karate and Fitness will attempt to break 100 boards to set a new world record.

According to Steve Meeker, who is volunteering as race director along with Jennifer Madej, fellow running enthusiast Bill Decker will be coordinating race day events and Kathleen Moseman will serve as race operations coordinator. Rick Child has been working on promotions and Ann Ward is in charge of sponsorship.

“I’ve enjoyed being a part of a grassroots effort to create a big event to help Newtown Youth Services,” Mr Childs told The Bee this week. “Hopefully, we’ve started something that will become a signature event for Newtown.”

Mr Meeker said more than 100 volunteers have been working, or will be working race day since the organizational kickoff last December.

“We have raised over $24,000 with sponsor donations from 37 companies in and around Newtown including our Gold level sponsors: Danbury Hospital, General Electric, Stop & Shop, Precisions Computer Services, Vista Investment Strategies, Newtown Pools, Newtown Real Estate, and Omni Fitness,” Mr Meeker said.

One hundred percent of sponsor donations are going straight to Newtown Youth Services.

Star 99.9-FM is serving as official media sponsor, and station public affairs coordinator and Newtown Bee Associate Editor John Voket is serving as assistant MC and providing entertainment.

The race’s official water sponsor is Nestle Poland Spring, and Newtown Police, Hook & Ladder, and Newtown Ambulance Corps and fire department EMTs will be present during the event with their vehicles and equipment, Mr Gardner said.

“We are expecting more than 500 runners for the 5K, and we have room for at least 100 children for the Kid’s Run,” Mr Meeker added. “We are expecting an additional 300 or more spectators to watch the event.”

Food Concessions include donations from Dunkin’ Donuts, Big Y, Carluzzi’s, Coach’s Deli, Cold Stone Creamery, and Costco.

“We cannot thank the Newtown Parks & Recreation staff and management enough,” Mr Gardner said. “We have worked with them throughout the planning of the event going back to February 1, when we secured the Pavilion and Dickinson Park for the activity.”

Newtown Youth Services program director Roseanne Loring believes the event will generate a great deal of exposure and support for her agency’s programs.

“I am in awe of the enthusiasm, organization, and dedication of these wonderful people who are working on behalf of Newtown Youth Services,” Ms Loring said. “You can’t help but feel the infusion of energy when you are with them. I am so grateful to Jen Madej and the entire Road Race Team. This is going to be one fantastic day!”

Prizes for participants include goody bags and T-shirts for first 500 participants in 5K. The first three overall winners receive cash prizes, along with the top three division winners by age category (10–19, 20–29, 30, 39, 40–49, 50–59, 60+).

Children participating in the Kid’s Run, 10 and under, will receive a finishers medals.

Participants are encouraged to stay for the postrace party, which is scheduled from 9:45 to 11:30 am. Other raffle prizes for adults, families, and children will be awarded at that time.

For details and preregistration information, click on www.newtownroadrace.com. Preregistered persons can pick up goody bags and T-shirts on Thursday, August 31, and Friday, September 1, at Olympia Sports in Sand Hill Plaza from 11 am to 7 pm.

Directions are provided on the website, and drivers are asked to respect the no-parking zones. Carpooling is encouraged.