By Bonnie Adams, Managing Editor
Northborough – This year the Corridor Nine Area Chamber of Commerce will once again sponsor a 5k in conjunction with Northborough’s Applefest celebration. The race will be held Saturday, Sept. 19, starting and ending at the Marion E. Zeh School, 33 Howard St. Although the race will have many of the similarities of previous events, it will have many new exciting features, according to chamber officials.
Karen Chapman, the chamber’s president, noted that many of the companies who are members of Corridor Nine are focused on health and wellness.
“We really wanted to celebrate that this year,” she said. “So we decided to add a team component to the race. “
Members are encouraged, she said, to put together a team of at least four people, either co-workers, friends or relatives. To help those teams get ready, chamber member Sandra Kearney, the owner of New Life Health and Wellness of Marlborough, has offered to work with teams with practice runs and weekly training tips.
“The response from our members has been great so far,” said Dani Delani, the chamber’s director of programs and events. “So far we have had teams sign up from EMC, Avidia Bank, Mirick O’Connell, and BlueMark Business Services, to just name a few.”
Corridor Nine is also offering the following perks for company teams: complimentary race t-shirt to all participants; photo company team posted on Corridor Nine website; event goodie bag for all participants; and post-race refreshments.
Awards will be presented to: fastest time (determined by averaging the three fastest runners on the team) and team spirit.
This year’s event will also serve as the official 5k of the Massachusetts Senior Games.
“They reached out to us and we agreed it would be a great thing to add to our event,” Chapman said.
Another change this year will be the Appleseed Dash, a 50-yard dash, a free event that is open to children 12 and under.
Each participating child in the dash will receive a medal/ribbon following the completion of the event as well as a healthy snack/goodie bag. This event will also be held at the Zeh School and will start at 9:15 a.m.
After the race there will be refreshments, music, raffles and children’s activities.
The Community Advocate and PR Running are once again the presenting sponsors for the 5k.
“We are really thankful to both companies,” Chapman said. “Jess Allen of PR Running has been so great helping us to get everything in place for this.”
Allen, who owns the store with her husband, Rich, said they were “so excited to be a part of the [5k] again this year.”
“The race has the feel of homecoming – seeing faces and friends you haven’t seen for a while,” she said. “But it also has the perks and element of competition that you get from a big race. I am thrilled about the addition of the corporate teams to this year’s race. I think it will be such a great team-building experience for many local businesses and add a fun energy to the race.”
Athletes of all levels, whether they are experienced or first-time runners, joggers and walkers are invited to participate in the 5k, although only runners will be timed.
“Applefest is also an important community celebration so we really wanted to incorporate that into the race,” Chapman said. “By adding these additional events into this year’s race, we are really honoring that spirit.”
The registration fee is $25 per person on or before Thursday, Sept. 10, and $27 after that date. Registration the morning of the event will start at 8:30 a.m. The Kids Appleseed Dash will be held at 9:15 a.m. and the 5K will start at 10 a.m.
The first 300 pre-registered runners/walkers for the 5k race are guaranteed a race t-shirt.
To register or for more information, visit www.corridornine.org/race.php or call 508-836-4444.