Glen Meisenhelder of Feeding Hills gets off to a good start and finishes the 5K race on March 23 in first place with a time of 19:16.7. The races, which began at Westfield Middle School, looped around the streets of Westfield and ended at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield, also included a 10K and the 29th annual Westfield Half-Marathon.
Reminder Publishing file photo
WESTFIELD — The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Westfield will once again host its annual FundRacing Half Marathon, 10K, 5K and Kids Fun Run on Saturday, March 29, in what will be the 31st edition of the fundraiser.
The event started in 1994 when a group of runners from the Empire One Running Club approached the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield with the idea of a half marathon fundraiser. It has only grown since into one of the biggest road races in Westfield annually.
“The theory for years has been that it was a primary run and warm up for the Boston Marathon because we hold it two weeks before. So, people would train and run in this half marathon and then run the Boston in two to three weeks,” said Greater Westfield club Chief Executive Officer Bo Sullivan.
The half marathon, 10K and 5K will begin at 11 a.m. in front of the Westfield Middle School and end in front of the Boys and Girls Club. The kids fun run will be held on the field behind the club and will begin at 10:30 a.m. All runners are invited back to the club’s gymnasium for a post-race pasta, salad and soup party.
Each race, excluding the kids fun run, has a registration fee. The half marathon costs $70, the 10K costs $45 and the 5K costs $40. Registration is available online via the Boys and Girls Club website — bgcwestfield.org — as well as in person on race day. Doors open at 9 a.m. for race day registration.
Sullivan credited race director Mike Sheldon for his commitment to organizing the event since being one of its founders three decades ago as a member of Empire One Running Club.
“He’s been a great supporter of ours and has put this all together to actually execute the event,” Sullivan added. “There was a natural connection with a Westfield guy who was part of the running club who came to us to help out and make a fundraiser.”
All proceeds from this race go directly back into programming for the club’s youth members.
All half marathon, 10K and 5K runners will receive a unique wooden medal upon finishing, courtesy of event sponsors Oleksak Lumber. The first 100 half marathon registrants will receive a free long sleeve shirt and the first 150 10k and 5k registrants will receive a free short sleeve shirt.
There is no rain date for the event.
Sullivan and Development and Marketing Director Jose Roman both noted the event always can use more volunteers and those interested in getting involved can contact Roman at jroman@bgcwestfield.org. More information on the event can be found on the club’s website.
“We need volunteers for water stops, helping here for the food after. Anyone interested can just reach out and contact us,” said Roman.
