2nd Annual Sprint for Springfield Schools Set for Sept. 30

The organizers of the second Sprint for Springfield Schools 5K Run/Walk are aiming to have all the success of the first race with none of the drama. 

Last year, the race was postponed when the original date coincided with the surprise October snowstorm. While runners still showed up in force when it was held a week later, the race's organizers have pushed the starting time up a month this year. 

The second annual Sprint for Springfield Schools 5K Run/Walk which will be held on Sunday, September 30. Registrations are being accepted online at www.springfieldeducationfoundation.com or can be downloaded and mailed to SEF/5K Sprint for Springfield Schools, 765 Mountain Ave., Suite 280 Springfield, New Jersey 07081. Online registrations will be accepted until midnight Friday, September 28.

The Sprint for Springfield Schools 5K Run/Walk, a USA Track & Field Grand Prix event, will commence at 9 a.m. from the front parking lot of Jonathan Dayton High School with awards ceremony to follow at 9:45 a.m. The cost of the event is $25 in advance, $30 day of event ($23/$28 to USATF members). There will also be a Fun Run for children under the age of nine which will also be held at Jonathan Dayton HighSchool, located at 139 Mountain Avenue in Springfield. The cost of the Fun Run is $10.

“The outpouring of support and the contributions from the community have been nothing short of spectacular,” added Robert Burkhardt, Springfield Education Foundation Trustee and Guidance Counselor at E.V. Walton Early Childhood Center. “The Springfield Education Foundation would like topublicly thank and acknowledge those companies who are allowing all proceeds from this event to goback into the school system and benefit the children directly.”

As of today, the 2012 Sprint for Springfield Schools 5K Run/Walk corporate partners include:

• Top Dawg – UBS

• Fun Run – ATA Martial Arts

• Finish Line Sponsor – No Body Denied (NBD)

• Photography Sponsor – Morgan Stanley

• Registration Sponsor – Champion Container Company

• Overall Awards Sponsors – Sports Authority

• Awards Sponsor – New Balance

• High Honor Roll – Autoland; Century 21; Investor’s Bank; Planet Honda; Print Media; RiderInsurance; Seniors in Place; Springfield Education Association; William Rich Jewelers; SpanishPavillion

• Honor Roll – JMK Auto

• Student Sponsor – Ferrero U.S.A. Inc., Hecht Family Chiropractic; Lindabury, McCormick,Estabrook & Cooper; Sneaker Factory; Springfield Orthodontics; UPS StoreAdditional corporate support is being provided from Dick’s Sporting Goods; The Ice Hut; RocklandBakery; Shop Rite of Springfield and Yo Addiction.

Thanks to the generous support last year from community sponsors and individual contributors, allproceeds benefitted the Springfield Education Foundation which strives to keep our children andteachers on the leading edge of learning. Last year’s event generated over $12,000 and the money wasput directly back into the classrooms. Teachers, through grant applications, received funds to enhancetheir classroom libraries on a myriad of topics to keep children engaged and develop an affinity forreading as well as purchased games and center activities to allow for differentiated teaching to fosterknowledge and reinforce learning. Funds were also allocated to purchase additional applications for theexisting technologies in the classroom and for additional art supplies that will develop and strengthenfine and gross motor skills and help with sensory integration.
Additional details on the race, including registration links can be found atwww.springfieldeducationfoundation.com. If you are interested in volunteering for the day of the race,please contact Steve Wolcott at stevewolcott@yahoo.com.