John Mondredo: Time To Run For Worcester Schools at Foley 5K

Saturday, April 20, 2013

John Monfredo, GoLocalWorcester Education Contributor

For healthy bodies and healthy minds, don't miss the Foley Five K.

Attention all runners or fitness people! Here is your chance to run a 5K race or a two mile walk for the children in the Worcester Public Schools. The second Foley 5K race sponsored by the Worcester Educational Development Foundation , Inc. (WEDF), in collaboration with the Central Mass Striders, will take place on Sunday May 5th starting at noon. Proceeds from this fun event will help support healthier students through increased physical equipment and other physical activities.

The goal is to raise funds for more materials and supplies that promote health and fitness. Proceeds from last year’s first ever 5K race were used to purchase jump ropes, all sorts of sports balls for recess, equipment for physical education classes, as well as support given to fitness based clubs.

We are all aware of the statistics on childhood obesity across the nation for roughly 20 percent of grade-school kids in the U.S. are obese -- triple the rate in 1980. The cause of this epidemic may seem obvious. Children are eating too much high-calorie junk food, exercising too little and therefore putting on excess pounds.

Healthy for the body and the schools

This event is an attempt to model fitness efforts and at the same time raise additional dollars for the forty-five Worcester Public Schools. The resources raised will increase the equipment and the opportunities for movement at a time when supply budgets are limited.

Those who love to run will have a great opportunity for the race will start at Commerce Bank Field and proceed through residential streets, finishing around the stadium’s track with the award winning South High Band welcoming the runners and walkers back to Foley Stadium. In addition, healthy snacks will be served. Pamela Callahan, training director for the city’s Office of Human Resources said of last year’s race, “I ran this race last year and it was the best fun road race I had all season.”

Attention all walkers!

Not a runner, well join my wife Anne-Marie and me for a fun filled walking excursion and meet lots of new friends as we show our school children that fitness at every age level is important. Remember you still have time to register for the Foley Five K is still seeking runners and walkers to participate and support this most worthy cause and have fun at the same time. The 5K pre-registration has started and the donation is $20.00 by April 30th and $25.00 after that date. In addition, the event has added a feature for the children, a free one mile race for the children starting a 11:00 a.m.

For more information about the event, contact Kathleen Finnergan, event Chairperson, at Foley5KRoad [email protected] or Scott Scheaefer, Event Chairperson, at [email protected].

Once again, special thanks goes out to the Worcester Educational Development Foundation, Inc. which is a private, non-profit corporation that was organized in 2005 for the sole purpose of supporting the Worcester Public Schools and identifying resources to meet the needs of the district. Corporate sponsors that have stepped up to support this most worthwhile endeavor include Eascare Ambulance, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Foley Engines.

Grab your sneakers and I’ll see you on May 5th!