Call for 5K runners, walkers, and sponsors!
PRINCETON: Runners and walkers looking for a 5K race need to look no further! Educational Testing Service (ETS) and YWCA Princeton will host the 11th annual Firecracker 5K Run/Walk on Tuesday, June 23rd. Runners, walkers, families, and corporate or organizational teams are invited to enjoy an early summer evening. The race is on a USATF-certified course and a USATF-NJ Grand Prix sanctioned event worth 500 points. CompuScore results will be available online or mailed upon request.
Participants will enjoy a flat, safe course contained within the beautiful grounds of ETS on 660 Rosedale Road, Princeton. Water stops will be placed conveniently along the way. First, second, and third place awards will be given to winners in age-group categories in five year increments from 5 through 85+. Winning corporate and organizational teams will receive special recognition in the post-race award ceremony. Participants will receive T-shirts, while they last. On hand for this festive occasion will be lively music, pre-race stretching session, post-race buffet and refreshments.
Early registration is highly recommended. Online registration is now open at www.active.com or download a form at www.ywcaprinceton.org/5k. Cost to register is $27 for USATF members and $30 for non-USATF members. On-site race day registration is open from 6:00 to 7:15pm at ETS’ Conant Hall located at the corner of Rosedale and Carter Roads in Lawrenceville. Race day registrations are $32 for USATF members and $35 for non-USATF members. The race will kick off at 7:30 pm, rain or shine. Ample parking will be available.
Proceeds from the event support YWCA Princeton’s Bilingual Nursery School. The goal of this program is to provide non-English speaking preschool children the tools they need to enter school on par with their English-speaking peers. The Bilingual Nursery School is just one of several YWCA Princeton programs that advance our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women by giving women and families a safe haven where diversity is embraced. Those that are unable to participate in the race but would like to support the Bilingual Nursery School, can donate at any level through www.gofundme.com/etsfirecracker5k.
Long-time YWCA supporter and 19-time marathon runner, Phyllis Marchand will be the Honorary Chair of the race. Joe Galdo of The Mercadien Group and Kari Mastroianni of Hopewell Valley Community Bank are co-chairs of the event.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses wishing to support a worthy family-friendly, community event. Corporate sponsors to date include ETS, The Mercadien Group, Hopewell Valley Community Bank, Bracco Diagnostics, NJM Insurance Group, Saker ShopRites, The Martin-Rizzo Group at Morgan Stanley, Princetonian Graphics, A Stitch Ahead and SpeedPro. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Joanne McGann at (609) 497-2100 ext. 333.
Over 500 participants are expected to take part in this popular annual event. Several volunteer positions are open to help with race-day activities. Please contact Nina Magariello at (609) 497-2100 ext. 322.
