Organizers of the Pennington 5K race have announced that Rep. Rush Holt, of Hopewell Township, and Central High School’s 2012 Pennington 5K Student Leadership Team, also known as The WOW Team, will serve as this year’s grand marshals of the race.
”We are thrilled to announce the grand marshals of this year’s 36th annual race. Both Rep. Holt and the Central High School students who are involved have shown tremendous support for the race, and we would like to give them this honor,” said Chris Fossel, race director.
Congressman Holt visited CHS recently to discuss the race with the student WOW Team along with Superintendent Thomas Smith and CHS Principal Mike Daher.
”The Pennington 5K has become established, and casual and serious runners in the community and beyond look forward to it,” Rep. Holt said. “The benefit of the race for the Hopewell Valley YMCA and the Hopewell Valley Municipal Alliance makes it not only enjoyable but very worthwhile, too. I’ve been impressed by the work of the race’s student leadership team.”
Members of the Central High School 5K Student Leadership Team have been meeting regularly with Mr. Fossel to develop goals and help plan the race.
Will Cleveland, a CHS junior, recalled presenting their goals to the Hopewell Valley Municipal Alliance’s Executive Committee, a group of 50 community leaders.
”We wanted to share with the community the three key pillars we have developed as the goals of the race, which we are promoting as sustainability (eco-friendly), youth involvement and healthy choices,” he said. “These are goals the community of Hopewell Valley actively supports and, hopefully, through events such as the Pennington 5K, will help create a better living environment for everyone.”
The students also have been involved in the planning of the race events such as organizing the appearance of the school’s mascots during the Kids Fun Run portion of the race and the guest appearance of track star and 2012 Summer Olympic hopeful Miriam Khan, a graduate of Central High School.
The 36th annual Pennington 5K, set for May 19, will be run though the streets of Pennington with the 1-mile Kids Fun Run preceding the 5K race. The proceeds will benefit the Hopewell Valley Municipal Alliance and the Hopewell Valley YMCA. Both sponsor numerous programs to help Hopewell Valley’s youth.
Registration information can be found by visiting www.hvymca.org.
