10th Annual Hopedale Blue Raider 5K Run/Walk & Family Fun Day

Brian McCarthy
Sponsored by the Hopedale Boosters Club
Issue Date: 
April, 2018
Article Body: 

The 10th annual Hopedale Blue Raider 5K Run/Walk sponsored by the Hopedale Boosters will be held on Saturday, May 12, 2018 at the Hopedale Jr-Sr High School at 25 Adin Street in Hopedale. It is expected that over 250 runners and walkers will be making the trek again over the relatively flat course through downtown Hopedale. A Hopedale version of Heartbreak Hill after mile 2 will separate the pack.
The 5k Run/Walk is held annually in memory of Coach Larry Olsen who led Hopedale’s Girls XC and Track teams to tremendous success. Coach Olsen was a highly decorated runner is greatly missed by Hopedale and the entire running community. It has been wonderful to see the community rally for 10 years around this event!
This event is the biggest fundraiser for the Hopedale Boosters and the money raised is used to support the student athletes of Hopedale Junior/Senior High School and many other student body activities. The Boosters provide scholarships and make many donations like to the year book committee and the After-Prom Party among many other contributions to the student-athletes of the Hopedale school system.
The race will be held on Saturday this year to accommodate more runners coupled with a One Mile Fun Run and Family Fun Day to include the whole community. The festivities will kick off at 8:00AM with race registration and booths by local vendors and community organizations.  In addition to the booths, there will be a variety of raffle prizes to be won that are being graciously donated by local businesses.  The Fun Run will begin at 9:30AM and the 5K run will begin at 10:00AM.  The festival will run until about 12:30PM.
Number pickup and race-day registration will begin at 8:00 AM.  The pre-entry fee is $25; $15 for ages 21 and younger.  A free dry-fit T-shirt will be given to those who register by April 21st. Register online at www.active.com.  Registration forms are also available at http://www.hopedaleschools.org/hopedale-jr-sr-high-school.
Fun Run registration is $10 and the first 20 finishers will receive medals and all participants will receive ribbons. 
Any Vendors, community or school organizations looking to host a booth should contact the Boosters at Hopedale5k@gmail.com to reserve your space. The fee for a booth is $25 and we ask that you submit your application by April 21, 2018.
Any person, organization or company wishing to donate raffle items or become an official sponsor should contact the Boosters at Hopedale5k@gmail.com as there are many levels of sponsorship available including t-shirts, bibs and signage. No donation it too small to support our student athletes.
Professional timekeeping will be provided by Tri-Valley Front Runners.  Medals will be given to the top three male and female runners in each age category.  Running or walking with strollers and pets is allowed and encouraged.
Parking, restrooms and complimentary snacks and water will be available.
May 12th will be a fun filled day of Hopedale Blue Raider pride and community spirit!