Bethel Families Invited to Participate in 3rd Annual Race 4 Chase

MONROE, CT — The 3rd Annual Race4Chase Kids Triathlon is beign planned by the CMAK Sandy Hook Memorial Foundation (CMAK) on July 10 from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Great Hollow Lake in Monroe.

Hundreds participated over the last two years in the event which is organized and founded by the parents of Chase Kowalski, a victim of the Sandy Hook tragedy. CMAK's vision is "to turn tragedy into triumph by healing and strengthening our families and communities."

According to the charity's website, Chase was an athlete from an early age. His mother writes:

"Chase was a runner shortly after he started walking. I remember one day we were at CVS, he took off running down the aisles and we could hardly catch him. Being a boy I wasn’t concerned that he wasn’t talking much, at his year-and-a-half doctors visit, we could communicate with each other, we shared our own language, but the doctor was concerned. We monitored him as he got older and still the speech wasn’t there. We had Birth to Three come and evaluate him but he didn’t qualify. He was too smart with just a speech delay. That summer he was two-and-a-half and started his running career at the Bethel High summer track program. It was there that he competed in his first events: the 50 meter, the 100 meter, and the 400 meter. By three he was put into the preschool system and started to get speech therapy."

Awards are given to the top male and female of each age group. All funds raised for participant fees are donated to the Chase Kowalski Memorial Fund.

Derrick Dumoulin, a parent of children who participated in a previous race said, "Congrats to the organizers and volunteers on a very well run inaugural event! Both of our children were able to participate and had a great time with their friends. Not many dry eyes in the crowd when the parents of Chase Kowalski spoke. What strong parents. This is the kind of family event we all need to have in our community at large."

The race is family-friendly and a USA Triathlon-sanctioned event. There will be a family swim, bike and run competition for ages 6-12. Distances and awards will be determined by age group according to US Triathlon standards.

Registration is now open by visiting www.race4chase.com.

Click here for the registration form.