Traffic Note: Frosty Freez 5K This Weekend

MIDDLETOWN, RI—A beloved local ice cream shop is ready to kick off its first charity run this weekend.

The Frosty Freez Family Fun 5K will begin early Saturday with registration i the Second Beach parking lot and the MIddletown Police Department is notifying residents of some road closures for a brief period.

Two events will be happening simultaneously: a 1/3 mile fun run dubbed the "Kiddie Cone Run" that starts at 8:15 a.m. and the 5K road race that starts at 8:30 a.m.

The fun run should be done within 10 minutes. For the 5K, police will be closing nearby roads. According to police:

When the event begins, the runners will start from the Second Beach Main Gate and head East towards Sachuest Point on Sachuest Point Road. The runners will turn around in the parking lot of the Sachuest Point Wildlife Refuge and head west to the intersection of Sachuest Point Road/Third Beach Access Road. Runners will then turn right onto the Third Beach Access Road and head north. The runners will then turn left onto Hanging Rock Road and then left onto Sachuest Point Road ending at the Second Beach Parking Lot.

The Frosty Freez Family Fun 5K is the result of an idea that began several years ago. A group of employees asked owner Kim Pachico if they could create a Frosty Freez team to compete in local 5Ks and Sprint Triathlons. As they raced and trained, they "used to daydream of putting together our own 5K and giving the money we raise back to the community," Pachico said.

It's the perfect year to kick off an annual 5K: Frosty Freez celebrates its 60th anniversary this year.

This year, Middletown High School's Cross Country Team and the Multiple Myeloma Research Fund will be sharing the proceeds from the race.

Pachico said that the cross country team was dropped from the roster of school sports teams due to a lack of funding and have to self-fund to continue.

"We chose this program because we think running is a wonderful exercise that can be both an individual and team sport, and because of its many health benefits, both mental and physical. We would like to see it continue," she said.

MMRF was chosen because it's a cause that's close to Pachico's heart. Her grandmother and her best friend both suffered from the cancer of the bone marrow and blood. In 2013, one of her closest friends was diagnosed and her life-saving marrow transplant was the result of funded research.

"We need to see a cure sooner than later, and want to help them reach their goal," she said.

Here's the course map.

To register for the event and for more information, go here: https://racewire.com/register.php?id=6156

The event should be a blast for all. Along with the running, walking and rolling, there will be race day T-shirts, music by DJ Nick from Newport Sound and Entertainment, coffee and tea from the Hungry Monkey and snacks by Pizza Hollywood and Toppa's.

Race entries result in raffle tickets and prizes include Easter baskets, Frosty Freeze gift certificates and more.

More information can be had via Frosty Freez's Facebook page and event.