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September 25. 2012 11:00PM
They'll be running scared in Bedford for 5K road race
BEDFORD — Runners will have a chance to don their favorite Halloween costumes for a good cause as they race to raise money for the Ross A. Lurgio Middle School.
The “Witch Way to 5K” road race is set for Oct. 27, and it will begin and end at the school.
The event, in its third year, will support technology endeavors at Lurgio, said Steve Delahunty, chairman of the race, which often get cut in school budgets.
“We got into it because I wanted to give back to the community,” he said. “It all goes toward technology, overhead projectors, that sort of thing, that got cut in the budget.”
Delahunty, an avid runner, said he knew a road race was one way he could do his part, and with few activities beyond trick-or-treating in the area, felt that adding the costumes would put a festive spin on the race.
Suzanne Withee, who is in charge of public relations for the race, said allowing runners to be in costume makes it a lot of fun.
“This race really lends itself to being a costume race, because of the time of year,” she said.
Withee said the race has been very well-attended.
“It’s a fantastic event,” she said, “each year, we’ve had over 400 runners.”
Delahunty said one of the biggest challenges in organizing any road race is to find people willing to go.
“The big thing about road races is you need people to show up,” he said, adding that each year, he collects email addresses from runners so they can sign up for subsequent years.
Delahunty’s efforts have paid off.
The first year, $16,000 was raised, and last year’s total increased to $18,200.
The fee to join the race is reasonable, Delahunty said, at $15, and runners can purchase commemorative T-shirts for an extra $5.
Withee said all participants in this year’s race will also receive a witch’s hat that they can run in.
To sign up for the race, those interested can go online to the school’s website, complete a paper application, or just show up at the race, ready to run.
Withee said she hopes the weather will cooperate on race day. Last year’s race fell on the day of the unexpected October snowstorm. While runners were able to beat the falling flakes, Withee said it was still a chilly morning.
“But we lucked out,” she said, and is looking forward to another successful year.
“It’s a great community event, and a great family event,” she said.
Kathy Remillard may be reached at kremillard@newstote.com.
The “Witch Way to 5K” road race is set for Oct. 27, and it will begin and end at the school.
The event, in its third year, will support technology endeavors at Lurgio, said Steve Delahunty, chairman of the race, which often get cut in school budgets.
“We got into it because I wanted to give back to the community,” he said. “It all goes toward technology, overhead projectors, that sort of thing, that got cut in the budget.”
Delahunty, an avid runner, said he knew a road race was one way he could do his part, and with few activities beyond trick-or-treating in the area, felt that adding the costumes would put a festive spin on the race.
Suzanne Withee, who is in charge of public relations for the race, said allowing runners to be in costume makes it a lot of fun.
“This race really lends itself to being a costume race, because of the time of year,” she said.
Withee said the race has been very well-attended.
“It’s a fantastic event,” she said, “each year, we’ve had over 400 runners.”
Delahunty said one of the biggest challenges in organizing any road race is to find people willing to go.
“The big thing about road races is you need people to show up,” he said, adding that each year, he collects email addresses from runners so they can sign up for subsequent years.
Delahunty’s efforts have paid off.
The first year, $16,000 was raised, and last year’s total increased to $18,200.
The fee to join the race is reasonable, Delahunty said, at $15, and runners can purchase commemorative T-shirts for an extra $5.
Withee said all participants in this year’s race will also receive a witch’s hat that they can run in.
To sign up for the race, those interested can go online to the school’s website, complete a paper application, or just show up at the race, ready to run.
Withee said she hopes the weather will cooperate on race day. Last year’s race fell on the day of the unexpected October snowstorm. While runners were able to beat the falling flakes, Withee said it was still a chilly morning.
“But we lucked out,” she said, and is looking forward to another successful year.
“It’s a great community event, and a great family event,” she said.
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Kathy Remillard may be reached at kremillard@newstote.com.
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