Bulldog 5K Set For Sunday

With the focus of raising money to help one of their own, the First Annual Bulldog Challenge 5K Run/Walk will be held this Sunday in North Babylon.

Proceeds from the race, which will start and end at , will benefit Arleen Benson, a lifelong North Babylon resident and school nurse at the high school, who is battling colon cancer.

“We wanted to do something to help Arlene,” said Eileen Cibuls, 11^th grade dean and teacher at the high school. “I had just run in a 5K around Thanksgiving and thought we could raise more money with this type of event rather than just doing something like a 50/50.”

To help with the event, Cibuls enlisted the help of the school’s Honor Society, a group of about 165 students in grades 10 to 12.

“The kids went out and sold raffle tickets to help raise money to cover the costs of the race,” she said. “They will also be helping in various ways during the race as well.”

In addition to the work of the students with initial fundraising efforts, Cibuls said community response to the event has also been strong.

“We’ve had many local businesses donating items and gift certificates for our auction and the PTAs have been extremely helpful,” she said. “This community has always had a very big heart.”

Cibuls noted that a representative from Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office is expected to attend the race and present Benson with a letter from the Governor wishing her a speedy recovery.

Race-day registration is $30 and begins at 7:30 a.m. Sunday and runs until the start of the race. Pre-registration is $25 and can be done on-line.

Local roads impacted during the 5K include Phelps Lane, Higgins St., Paddock Ave., Miller Ave., Sylvan Rd., Westwood Dr., Hughes Lane., Southwood Lane, Frankie Court, Magro Drive., Monitor St., Strathmore Drive and Banner Lane.