Runners Prep for 4th Annual Run for the Hills

A mother-daughter duo will be among the field of runners in the Bedford Hills Neighborhood Association's 4th Annual Run for the Hills road race.

Members of the LaRaus family—Jordan, 15, Benjamin, 12, and their mother, Bonnie—have run the event each year together. This year Benjamin has a conflict with a Fox Lane Youth lacrosse game.

"We'll miss him," said his mom. "But usually Benjamin takes off and blows us away with his speed. Jordan and I can take it slower."

To prepare for the 5K—named for the sharp slopes of the town in which it's run—mom and sons have been running on the weekends from their Bedford Hills home through the park and on the bike path. Jordan also plays on the junior varsity softball team and has been getting in shape with spring training.

The best part of the race is that it's in their hometown, said Bonnie LaRaus. "It's also just a fun and challenging race," she added.

The race begins at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at Depot Plaza and finishes on Babbit Road. For a full description of the course, read a review by Dr. Stu Weitzman, here.

Registration is open until Thursday at 3 p.m. Click here to register at active.com.

Like other BHNA activities, proceeds of the race will benefit charitable causes. The organization this year is awarding a $1,000 scholarship to a Bedford Hills resident and graduate of Fox Lane High School, according to Janet Jacobsen, BHNA president.

When asked what else was new and exciting about this year's race, Jacobsen said they'll have a runner from Florida joining the field.

"One thing very exciting for me is that my sister, who lives in Florida, surprised me and registered," she said. She said she's especially grateful for the number of sponsors for this year's race, which include over 20 local merchants. See list posted with this story for details.

Steve Walsh of Bedford Hills said to prepare for the race he is running at least once every weekend and reading Dianetics: The Modern Science Of Mental Health, by L. Ron Hubbard.

He's also gearing up for a neighborhood re-match.

"There has been an ongoing battle between me and some of my friends in the neighborhood over who will take the Run for the Hills crown for our neighborhood," he told Patch. "I won the first one in 2010—different friends have won since—and I am hoping to reclaim the crown."

Though he says the beginning is the toughest, because it's hard to start running on an uphill, he looks forward to passing several runners as he "blazes down the hill for the finish line."

Click here for more information on the race.