Popular West Island 5K Run/Walk & Kid’s Mile Fun Run now in its fifth year!

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I can’t recall a time in my life when 5K competitions have been so popular. Once relegated to the serious competitor or athlete, they have become “mainstream” in the sense that average Joe’s participate in them on a regular basis.


Over 50 kids each year participate in the Kids’ Mile Fun Run.

Since completing one is within reach of most people, it is a great way to earn a sense of accomplishment, have fun, do something with family and friends and partake in an event that many in the community are involved in. Since many of these events are attached to a local cause or charity, they are also a fantastic way to give back.

So whether you are an athlete always looking for a challenge, or just a regular guy, gal or kid, a 5K is for you. The athlete can compete against himself and others who are actively pursuing a win. Everyone else can try to best their previous times or have a little fun and compete against friends or family. Everyone is a winner, especially when part of the proceeds go to a cause.

About the West Island 5K Run/Walk & Kid’s Mile Fun Run


The West Island 5K Run/Walk & Kid’s Mile Fun Run, now on its fifth year, has grown into one of the most popular in the region with more and more people showing up with each passing year. One of the reasons it is so popular is because organizer Lyle Drew has successfully created a positive environment, almost festive.

Another contributing factor is the Kids’ Mile Fun Run, a flat 1-mile loop that gives the little ones plenty of exercises and allows them to participate in the excitement. Each year roughly fifty kids up to 12 years of age earn a huge sense of accomplishment by competing in the Fun Run. The top three boys and girls receive a trophy.


Red Line: Kids Mile Fun Run, Blue Line: 5K Race (First Half), Green Line: 5K Race (Second Half). Parking options: Hoppy’s Landing or Sconticut Neck Road; park your car and take the shuttle to/from the start!

Over the past four years, our donors helped raise over $47,000. This money has been used to sustain and improve the Fairhaven High School cross country program. To date, scholarships have been presented to 25 graduating seniors. In 2015, Deborah Demers was presented with a $5,000 donation in the name of the Crispin Demers Memorial Scholarship Fund. Crispin was a FHS alum and cross country coach. Sadly, he passed away in the summer of 2012 after a long battle with cancer. The donation will aid Deborah with her children’s educational needs.

In addition to supporting the FHS cross country program, the West Island 5K is the major fundraising source for Strive and Achieve – a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Strive and Achieve (www.striveandachieve.org) raises the awareness and builds opportunities for students interested in pursuing skilled labor careers in Fairhaven and throughout New England. Your generous donation will fund grants for students pursuing careers through accredited training programs. In celebration of the race’s 5th anniversary, all 5K and Kids Mile finishers get a commemorative finisher’s medal.

These noble gestures demonstrate the heart of the organizers and how “local” this event is.

Pre-Race Dinner, Registration and Course Particulars


There will be a Pre-Race Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday, April 23, 2016, between 5:30-7:30pm at the West Island Improvement Association at 41 Causeway Rd. Fairhaven. Tickets are $10. To make your reservation, contact Darlene Nadeau at 508-858-9108. Space is limited to only 100. Don’t delay and sign-up today.

Registration for the event is currently open online In addition, you can register the day before on Saturday, April 23, between 1:00-4:00 P.M. and the day of the race, Sunday, April 24, between 9:00-10:45 A.M. The race starts at 11:00am and the awards ceremony and raffle will begin at 12:15pm. Technical shirts guaranteed to the first 600 registrants.


The commemorative finisher’s medal that will be handed out to all 5K and Kids Mile finishers

The course itself is USA Track and Field Certified (MA13007JK). The race begins with a fast downhill, and then is mostly flat and winds throughout scenic West Island. It concludes with a short uphill finish. Each mile will be marked and timed and the water station will be fully stocked at the 1.5-mile point.

In it for the competition, prize money and/or trophy? Trophies and medals will be awarded to the first place boy and girl in the Kids Mile. Medals are awarded to the second and third place boy and girl finishers. Looking to compete? The current records are Jeff Howley with a 15:53 time from 2014 and Anne Preisig with a time of 18:28, also made in 2014.

Prize money will be handed out to the overall male and female finishers as well as the top three male and female age group finishers in the 5K. The age categories are as follows: 1-12, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+.

Have more questions about the event? There is a FAQ that covers most of what you’ll need to know about parking, using strollers, bringing your iPod,

Sponsors, Volunteers and Donations


An event of this magnitude can’t be done without the assistance of generous sponsors. Many local businesses have contributed to ensure the event happens each year. Colonial South Coast of 42, 225, and 361 State Road, and “In Memory of C.I.M.”

A full list of the year’s sponsors can be found here. If you like to support local businesses, who better to support than those local businesses that support the community? Please consider patronizing some of these sponsors.

If you would like to be involved as a volunteer, you can sign up here. Can’t volunteer or participate, but considering a donation? You can do that here.

If you take part in the West Island 5K as a participant, volunteer or spectator we’d love to see your images! Good luck to all!

________________________________________________________

5K Run/Walk
Sunday, April 24, 2016 at 11:00 A.M
41 Causeway Road, West Island
Fairhaven, MA 02719

Website: westisland5k.org/
Facebook: facebook.com/West-Island-5K-RunWalk-Kids-Mile-Fun-Run-337101269653779/
Twitter: @westisland5k
Email: westisland5k@yahoo.com

About Joe Silvia

When Joe isn't writing, he's coaching people to punch each other in the face. He enjoys ancient cultures, dead and living languages, cooking, benching 999#s, and saving the elderly, babies and puppies from burning buildings. While he enjoys long walks on the beach, he will not be your alarm clock, because he's no ding-a-ling.

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