New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
3rd Annual West Island 5K Run/Walk & Kids Mile Fun Run (Jim Mahaney Photography)
Running a 5K has never been so popular than the past few years. Once upon a time they were solely an athletic competition, but these days they are the perfect community event to unite people behind a cause. Why is this so? The relatively short distance (approximately 3 miles) is achievable by virtually anyone, not just by the athlete. As I mentioned in last year’s article, the best way to sum the concept up is as “…challenging, but not overwhelming.” The emphasis these days is on simply finishing regardless of your time. In fact many simply walk the course.
However, if you are someone who loves an athletic challenge there are records kept of each event. You can beat your personal best or you can try to break a local record. It’s a great way to stay fit, improve your health, help out a great cause and do something together with your family and the community.
FHS Cross Country program and the Crispin Demers Memorial Scholarship Fund
This year’s event takes place on Sunday, April 27 and will benefit the Fairhaven High School Cross Country program and the Crispin Demers Memorial Scholarship Fund. During the first two years, the West Island 5K team raised almost $26,800 allowing the town of Fairhaven to maintain and improve its Cross Country program and start the scholarship fund. Crispin Demers, a Fairhaven High School alum, was also a former FHS cross country runner and coach that lost his battle with cancer two years ago. The fund will go to his twins so they can have the opportunity for a higher education in the future.
Organizer and Race Director Lyle Drew is a Fairhaven High School alum. From the day he and fellow alum Sal Corrao conceived the idea for the West Island 5K, his motivation and focused were clear. He wanted to ensure the same opportunities that he was given were also available to future student-athletes. He is grateful for the opportunities he was afforded and believes giving back to the school and community that he grew up in is essential. When he learned that the Fairhaven High School Cross Country program was not being funded, he felt there was no better way than to tie in what has become a popular way to get the community behind a cause: a family oriented 5K run and kid’s mile fun run.
Race Details
The USA Track and Field certified (MA13007JK) course is described as “Mostly flat and fast loop throughout scenic West Island with a fast downhill start and a challenging uphill finish.” The Kids’ Mile Fun Run is described as “Flat and fast 1 mile course on paved and dirt roads with a little hill at the end.” Each mile will be marked and timed and a water station will be fully stocked at the 1.5-mile point.
Two noted improvements this year will be the implementation of chip timing that will provide each runner/walker with a super accurate and 5K technical race shirts will replace the cotton shirt.
Prize money for the 5K run will be awarded for the top 3 overall male and female finishers and for the top male or female runners that break the course. In addition, awards will be given for the overall male/female finishers, and the top three male and female age group finishers in the following categories: 1-12, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+. Technical shirts are guaranteed to the first 600 registrants.
For the Kids’ Mile Fun Run, dog tags will be awarded to the top 3 male/female finishers and each participant will receive neoprene commemorative wristbands. Lots of post-race refreshments will be available. Finally, the event will finish with an Awards Ceremony and Raffle at 12:15 P.M.
Last year Providence competitor Jeff Howley broke the previous year’s record by winning with a time of 16:09 and an impressive pace of 5:13. A local didn’t turn up until 4th place, Daniel Croteau of Acushnet – who held last year’s winning record that Howley beat. The first Fairhaven finisher William Pires and he finished an impressive 16th place.. The Kid’s Mile Fun Run was won by Jack Roche with a time of 7:03. In the female division, Anne Preisig from Falmouth captured the record with a stellar time of 18:49 and last year’s winner was Julie Craig of Mattapoisett with a time of 20:31.
Registration, Volunteering & Sponsoring Details
The 3rd Annual West Island 5K Run & Kids Mile Fun Run is scheduled for Sunday, April 27, 2014 (11:00 a.m.) at 41 Causeway Road, West Island. The “Fun Run” begins at 10:00 a.m and there is a $5 entrance fee. The 5K race starts at 11:00 a.m. and there is $15 entrance fee for K-12 students. If you register by midnight April 13th the registration fee is $20. After that time, it is $25. Registration may be in person, by mail (download application .pdf or WORD) or online on the RaceWire website is open until 10 AM on race day.
For more information or to register visit the West Island 5K Run/Walk & Kids Mile Fun Run website: http://WestIsland5k.org or email info@westisland5k.org.
If you are a local business or individual and interested in donating, sponsoring or volunteering your time with the planning, please contact their team at info@westisland5k.org. If you would like to help out by making a larger donation or perhaps you cannot physically run or walk this race and would still like to help, you can make a donation online to either or both funds here: http://westisland5k.org/donate/
