Lifelinx/Day 5K Nick Kruczek Color Run/Walk to Help Students Combat Drug Use

Originally written by Jack Kramer, Patch Correspondent

GUILFORD, CT – The Lifelinx/Day 5K Nick Kruczek Color Run/Walk, slated for May 13th, is also serving as the kickoff event for Guilford’s DAY WEEK, a weeklong event conceived and organized by high school students to combat drug abuse.

This year’s event has two very people whose names are tied closely to the substance abuse crisis in Connecticut associated with it.

The run/walk this year has been renamed for Nick Kruczek, who died at the age of 20 in 2013 of a drug overdose. His mother, Sue, has been one of the staunchest advocates for programs helping those with drug problems since her son’s death. (To sign up for Guilford breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

And, the event itself this year is dedicated to the memory of Marilyn Menzies Pageau, a longtime friend and supporter of Lifelinx. Organizers describe her as some who “always helped other people and was full of love.”

Guilford DAY (Developmental Assets for Youth), is a community coalition comprised of volunteers from the community, including parents, youth, law enforcement, leaders, who work to reduce high risk behaviors such as underage drinking and drug abuse among young people.

The run/walk, which will be held at the Guilford Fairgrounds, on Lovers Lane, with sign up starting at 8:30 am, the kids run starting an hour later, and the 5K race at 10:30.

Race organizers say: “This is an opportunity for people of all ages to join in an explosion of color with friends and family. The 5K course will be from the fairgrounds to Jacobs Beach and back. As you run or walk the course, you will be bombarded with color.

“This is not your grandma's traditional 5K, although she is certainly welcome to participate and we know several who are planning to do so. The course will be set up so you can bypass the color stations if you wish to do so.

There will be no chip timing for runners, and the prizes will be for the first male and first female across the finish line. Serious runners should line up at the front of the starting pack. Of course there will be a timing clock so you can track your own time.”

The organizers added: “This will be the kickoff event for Guilford’s DAY week, in which the color purple is used to symbolize youth sobriety. The youth use purple to visibly commit to living clean, and see that they are not alone, but that are in the majority.

“Adults use purple to demonstrate their support for Guilford’s youth and their values. Everyone commits to helping each other, especially those who need encouragement and recovery support.”

You can register online at www.lifelinx.org or www.itsworthguilford.org or call 203-208-2228 for registration, donor and sponsor information.

(Editor's Note: This story first ran previously but here it is again in case you missed it.)