Between now and Friday the cost of the registration fee is $25; it will be $30 on the day of the race.
William J. Miller, executive director of the Friends of the Homeless, is seen in the women's dorm area at the new resource center on Worthington Street in 2010. Friends of the Homeless will benefit from the Springfield Rotary Club's Holiday 5K road race.
SPRINGFIELD—The Springfield Rotary Club invites runners and volunteers to participate in its Holiday Showcase 5K race on Dec. 15 to benefit the Friends of the Homeless shelter.
The race begins at 9 a.m. at the Hilton Garden Hotel, located next to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, for a run along Riverfront Park. Registration opens at 7:30 a.m.
“It’s a nice opportunity to help the Friends of the Homeless shelter program which has had a significant impact and is not a one-stop solution but a long-term investment in the mental and physical well-being of those in need,” said Jack Toner, sergeant at arms for the Springfield Rotary Club. “People can come together, enjoy a jog and help someone get a warm meal.”
Between now and Friday the cost of the registration fee is $25; it will be $30 on the day of the race.
Proceeds from the fees will benefit the shelter, the largest emergency shelter for the homeless in Western Massachusetts.
Event sponsorships from businesses, corporations, civic organizations and individuals are welcome for Beginner ($250), Intermediate ($750) and Elite ($1,500) categories. Cash prizes will be awarded to the winners and runners up in the various age divisions. Professional chip timing will be used to record the times.
For those wanting to participate but not run in the race, there are a number of volunteer opportunities, including registering racers, distributing water and food, and much more.
Register for the Holiday Showcase 5K online at https://millenniumreg.com/springfield-rotarys-holiday-showcase-5k or the Springfield Rotary website http://www.springfieldmarotary.org. Make checks payable to the Rotary Club of Springfield and mail to the Rotary at P.O. Box 1033, Springfield, MA 01101.
For more information contact Mike Healy at (860) 796-1435 or mhealy@websterbank.com or Jack Toner at (413)374-0819 or email jtoner@sumnertoner.com.