A group of local moms has organized a 5k run/walk in March to benefit the families affected by the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy, in conjunction with a 5k on the same day in Hartford, CT.
Sandy Hook Run for the Families, under the team name Naperville Runs for Sandy Hook, which will take place at 8AM on Saturday, March 23, at Danada Forest Preserve in Wheaton. It is one of the “virtual” runs taking place across the country as part of the much larger event, the Sandy Hook Run for the Families in Hartford, CT. All proceeds will benefit the Sandy Hook School Support Fund.
According to Peggy Wainscott, event director for the local run/walk, this is a casual, grassroots run/walk which allows people in our area to support another American community which has suffered an unspeakable loss.
“The news of Sandy Hook affected us all so much, and we all felt like we wanted to do something, but didn’t know what. When I saw that there was an organized 5k in Connecticut and we could sign up as virtual participants, a group of us formed a virtual team and turned it into a bigger community initiative,” Wainscott said. “This is a barebones event designed to bring people together for a cause in a simple, fun and social way.”
Wainscott said participants should understand that Sandy Hook Run for the Families is not a race. It is a casual 5k run/walk, and there will be no finishers’ medals, age group awards, timers, t-shirts or other amenities.
The Sandy Hook Run for the Families is open to anyone in Naperville and the surrounding communities.
Ways to get Involved
Those interested in joining the Naperville Runs for Sandy Hook team to run or walk at Danada Forest Preserve at 8AM on Saturday, March 23, a $30 donation can be made on the team’s donation page at www.crowdrise.com/napervillerunsforsandyhook . This webpage will serve as registration for the run. Individuals who are unable to join the event on March 23, but would like to donate, or participants who wish to donate more, can make a donation at this link, too.
One hundred percent of all donations benefit the Sandy Hook School Support Fund. The fund is administered by the United Way of Western Connecticut in partnership with Newtown Savings Bank. A local board of Newtown community leaders will determine how the fund is most needed and will be best utilized. The United Way and Newtown Savings Bank have waived all administration fees to the fund.
For regular updates on Naperville Runs for Sandy Hook, follow the link below to visit the Facebook page and click “Like.”
https://www.facebook.com/NapervilleRunsForSandyHook
Participants are asked to remember the following:
The registration fees for this event are non-refundable.
Event Day, March 23
On event day, arrive no later than 7:45AM on March 23 to insure an on-time start.
Parking is available at the DuPage Forest Preserve offices, located at 3S580 Naperville Rd. in Wheaton. Additional parking is available across Naperville Rd. at the Danada House. All participants are encouraged to carpool as much as possible as parking is limited.
The race start is located adjacent to the forest preserve offices on the horse training track. The majority of the run/walk will take place on crushed limestone trails.
The run/walk goes on rain or shine. No rain delays or postponements.
Because of the limited space on the trails, we ask that participants not use strollers, wagons, bikes or wheels of any kind during the walk/run. No pets.
Water and food will not be provided before, during or after the run/walk, so participants should be prepared to bring their own if it is required.
A small number of portable toilets will be available.
“We are accepting donations to offset the costs associated with organizing the run,” wrote Kim Weeks in a news release. “Every little bit helps.”
To donate, send a message via the Facebook page or an e-mail to NapervilleRuns@gmail.com.
