Runners And Walkers Needed To Race For A Good Cause

  Runners and walkers are being asked to lace up their sneakers later this month for a good cause.

Wesley Village, a senior retirement community, will host its third annual “5K Road Race and Fun Walk,” beginning at 9 a.m. Aug. 27. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Spooner House homeless shelter, as well as Wesley Village’s “Journey of Dreams” program, which helps residents of the senior community, most who are in the 80’s and 90’s fulfill lifelong dreams.

According to Race Director David Primini, the 3.1 mile race and 1.5 mile fun walk will begin and end at Wesley Village in the parking lot for Crosby Commons, 580 Long Hill Ave.

Awards  will be given for the first place male and female, overall, and the top two male and female finishers in each of the following age groups: Under 13, 14-18, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70+.

Wesley Village will provide food for all the participants following the event. Event parking will be at Long Hill Elementary School, 565 Long Hill Ave., across from Wesley Village. Participants will be shuttled to the registration area. Computerized timing and results will be provided by Start-Live Race Services and Primini.

There will also be a number of prizes available for all participants in a blind drawing, which have been donated by local businesses, including Dunkin’ Donuts, MasterCard, Stop & Shop. Three family 4-packs of tickets to see a performance of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Presents Barnum 200 on Oct. 20 or Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m. at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, will also be given away.

Those who pre-register for the event by Aug. 23 will pay a $20 entry fee, and will be guaranteed a commemorative t-shirt. Starting Aug. 24, registration will be $25. There will be a total of 50 t-shirts available on the day of the event, which will be given out on a first-come, first served basis.

Organizers strongly recommend that people pre-register for the event, which is being sponsored by M&T Bank and Omnicare, along with People’s United Bank, Unitex Textile Rental Services, 02 Safe Solutions, New England Home Care, Griffin Hospital Lifeline, Daniel Wollman, MD, PhD., McKesson and Winters Brothers Waste Systems, CT.

To register online, or to view course maps and directions, visit the Wesley Village website at www.wesleyvillage-ct.org.

Last year’s event drew more than 200 runners and 50 walkers, according to Primini, and raised more than $10,000. The goal this year, is to raise at least $15,000, and attract even more runners and walkers, officials said.

Wesley Village’s “Journey of Dreams” programs, one of the benefactors from the event, has helped elderly citizens realize their dreams, including taking a hot air balloon ride, doing a live TV weather report, exhibiting paintings at an art gallery and recreating a NASCAR race.

The other organization to benefit from the cause is the Spooner House located on Todd Road. The shelter, which is operated by Area Congregations Together, provides those in need with food, shelter and various support services.