5K RACE BENEFITS THREE LOCAL CAUSES
November 30, 2012
PARKWAY RUNNING CLUB ANNOUNCES 19th ANNUAL“WALTER’S RUN”
West Roxbury, MA — Walter’s Run, a local 5K race, which raises money for local charities, will have its 19th annual running on Sunday, December 9th at 11am. A free “Little Kid’s Race” will kick off the day’s events beginning at 10:40am. Both races will start and finish at the West Roxbury YMCA, 15 Bellevue Street in West Roxbury.
Walter’s Run is organized by the Parkway Running Club (www.parkwayrunningclub.org). Amenities for runners of the 5K race include a wheel-measured course, large raffle, free running gloves and a swag bag to the first 350 entrants, a post-race feast provided by local merchants, trophies for the top finishers and medals for the top three runners in each age group.
“This event is a holiday tradition for local families,” said Race Director Keith Shields. “Children look forward to seeing Santa Claus at Walter’s Run, as well as Rainbow the Clown, who makes balloon animals for children of all ages.”
The Little Kid’s Race begins at 10:40am and is a non-competitive fun run for children ages 10 and under. All Little Kid’s Race participants receive a ribbon and candy cane from Santa Claus.
For the third year in a row, Walter’s Run has partnered with Girls on the Run (GOTR), a youth empowerment program. GOTR is a non-profit organization which matches local 8 – 12 year old girls with running mentors and spends 12 weeks helping the girls prepare to run their first 5K road race. In addition to teaching the girls to set goals through running, GOTR also engages participants in a life-skills building curriculum covering topics ranging from body image to community service to the dangers of gossiping. “We look for races that exemplify community service, as well as fun,” explains Jen McNamara, a coach for GOTR. “Walter’s Run offers a holiday theme and the Parkway Running Club’s dedication to raising funds for local charities shows the girls that engaging in their communities can be both fun and rewarding. We use the race as an opportunity to celebrate the girls’ growth and accomplishments of the season.” This year, it is expected that more than 50 girls will come to Walter’s Run to compete in their first 5K.
Walter’s Run, formerly known as the Santa Scamper, is named in honor of Walter Burgess, who passed away suddenly in 2003 at the age of 40 and was an active member of the Parkway Running Club. Burgess completed 26 marathons as well as the Great Floridian Ironman Triathlon, but Walter was known as much for his spirit and his love for the sport as he was his athletic accomplishments.
Burgess’s favorite charity was Globe Santa, the Boston Globe’s annual program to provide presents during the holiday season for underprivileged children in the Boston area. Proceeds from the race will go to the Globe Santa, as well as the YMCA of Greater Boston’s Reach Out Campaign, which provides financial assistance to families in need so that their children can have access to the YMCA’s programs. Walter’s Run also funds a Scholarship, named in honor of Walter Burgess, to send younger runners to a local summer Running Camp.
Race registration is $20 in advance, $25 on race day. To register or for more information on Walter’s Run visit www.WaltersRun.org or contact Race Director Keith Shields at 617-594-3194 or racedirector@waltersrun.org.
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