Hundreds of area runners, walkers and children looking for fun will team up with local and state veterans to participate in the fourth-annual Memorial Day 5K Freedom Run on Monday.
Several people have already signed up for the annual race and more runners, walkers and/or volunteers are welcome, said local attorney Fran Teodosio, who organizes the event with a committee of dedicated volunteers.
The race, which will begin at 8 a.m., starts at the Stephen B. Church Memorial 486 Oxford Road, Oxford, and goes south on Route 67 to the Pleasant Valley Shopping Center and back to Town Hall. The course has been USATF certified. All net proceeds will go to our own members of the active and veteran military.
Specifically, money raised goes toward the in Oxford, which also volunteers for the event along with several other civic organizations and many community members. This year, the Freedom Run Committee has voted to donate the first $500 of net proceeds from the event to the Valley Community Foundation. The foundation will match this contribution and add a total of $1,000 to the fund, which it oversees to restore plaques that were stolen from the three veterans' memorials in Derby, Shelton and Ansonia, Teodosio said.
Walkers who wish to participate can join a two-mile fitness walk. The cost to participate in the run or walk is $25 per person. Veterans and active military personnel may participate for free. Wheelchairs and Baby Joggers are also welcome.
The first 500 registrants will receive a commemorative race T-shirt. Prizes will be awarded in various categories. Due to its overwhelming popularity, the Kids Rock Hopper Fun Run, led by the penguin race mascot, will once again be run. Children ages 5-to-12 will run from the Town Hall to and back for a total of a half-mile.
The Rock Hopper Fun Run registration fee is $10 and the children will receive T-shirts sponsored by Naugatuck Valley Savings & Loan.
To register: go to fasttracktiming.com and register online. For more info please go to the official race website: 5kfreedomrun.com or you may feel free to call the Oxford Parks and Recreation office at 203-888-2543, Ext 3041. Vets and Active Military personnel must call the Parks and Rec office to register.
After the race, people are encouraged to hang around for the always exciting, annual Oxford Memorial Day Parade.
"What a great way to spend the morning with your family as we honor those who gave so much for our freedom," said Deb Gatto, Oxford Parks and Rec director.
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Sponsors:
Naugatuck Valley Savings & Loan
Spectra Energy
Oxford Parks and Rec
Oxford Paint & Hardware
Oxford Liquor Shoppe
Welch, Teodosio, Stanek and Blake, LLC., attorneys at law
Nafis & Young Civil/Environmental Engineer & Surveying
Oxford Town Clerk Margaret A. West
121 Restaurant & Bar
Attorney Matt Reale
Attorney George Temple (who is also Oxford’s first selectman)
Law Offices of Steven M. Reilly
Miller-Ward Funeral Home
New England Septic & Excavating
Oxford Oil Company
Oxford Pharmacy
Rose’s Family Restaurant
Southbury School of Performing Arts
Universal Precast
Giordano’s Heating & Air Conditioning Co.
J. Nicholas Anderson
Seymour Electric
Extreme Bucket List
Phoenix Propane
Nardelli’s Grinder Shoppe
Robert Petinella Select Real Estate
Patch Media Corp.
H-10,O water company
Poland Spring Natural Spring Water
River Glen Health Care Center
Connecticut State Police
Rich Farm ice cream
* Several other local civic organizations such as the David S. Miles American Legion Post 146 and the Oxford Lions Club are also heavily involved in the event and have donated toward it.
** See T-shirts designs from the event attached to this article as PDFs.
