By Bonnie Adams, Managing Editor
Region – For the 23rd year in a row, the Corridor Nine Area Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a 5k in conjunction with Northborough’s Applefest celebration. The race will be held Saturday, Sept. 17, starting and ending at the Marion E. Zeh School, 33 Howard St. The event will welcome runners, joggers and walkers and, once again, feature a Team Challenge. New this year will be a special Kids Adventure Race for kids 11 and under which will be held immediately after the 5k that day.
Cindy Libbey, the chamber’s director of programs and events, said this year’s event is designed to be a true community event for all ages and fitness levels.
This will be the second year for the team challenge.
“Anyone can form a team (of at least four people) – neighbors, co-workers, family members or friends,” she said. “It’s all about celebrating being healthy and having fun.”
To help inspire teams, PR Running, one of the 5k sponsors, is offering running free clinics to those who have registered. The clinics are held Thursdays evenings at 6 p.m. at its location in the Westboro Shopping Plaza, 18 Lyman St., Westborough. For more information call 508-836-6681.
“We are so grateful to Jess [Allen] and her husband Peter, the owners of PR Running, for their support,” Karen Chapman, the chamber’s president, said. “They have been amazing.”
“Rich and I are so happy that PR Running can once again be a part of the Corridor Nine Applefest 5K. The race is a great example of community,” Jess Allen said. “Last year Keith Pellerin, our assistant manager, was able to come man the table for the event. He knows everyone from Northborough. He was able to say ‘hi’ to some of the Algonquin [Regional High School] cross country team, neighbors, and many of our customers who come out for this great event.”
Other sponsors include the Community Advocate, Derek Mohamed, and Oasis Financial Services.
“We’ve always been a proud supporter of Corridor Nine,” David Bagdon, the Community Advocate’s publisher said. “The road race involvement allows us a perfect opportunity to support, not only the chamber and the local business community, but the very families that make up the core of our readership.”
“My team and I are thrilled to help support this event. An opportunity to partner with the Chamber of Commerce and encourage members of the community to get outside and be active is a win-win for everyone!” Mohamed said.
The first 300 pre-registered racers are guaranteed a race t-shirt. Prizes will be awarded to the first place male and female 5K finishers. There will be post-race refreshments, music and a “goody bag” for all participants. The registration fee is $25 per person on or before Friday, Sept. 9.
The Kids Adventure Race promises to be fun and age-appropriately challenging for the youngsters, Libbey said. The event, which is sponsored by the YMCA of Central Mass., will be held on the Zeh School playground (or inside the school in case of inclement weather.) The course will incorporate 10 activities, several of which will use pool “noodles.” The order of obstacles is: noodle weave, jump rope, tire challenge, noodle throw, ping pong ball transport, playground obstacle, noodle toss, crab walk, snake crawl and tight rope walk.
Sharon Henderson, marketing and communication director for the YMCA, said the event ties into the organization’s goal to “raise awareness of youth health and physical activity issues, and to encourage the inclusion of physical activity in all youth programs.”
“There are basic beliefs that we hold about youth physical activity,” she said. “Good health is an important asset for all youth. Children will be active if given encouragement. Physical activity should emphasize fun and participation.”
This year’s event will also serve as the official 5k of the Massachusetts Senior Games.
To register for any of the events, or for more information, visit www.corridornine.org/race.php or call 508-836-4444.