Shaler Family Wellness 5K Run/Walk to return homecoming weekend
The Shaler Area Education Foundation is slightly modifying its second annual homecoming 5K event, starting with registration.
This year, a reduced $10 fee for students ages 18 and under is available for the Family Wellness 5K Run/Walk at 8 a.m. Sept. 23 at Kiwanis Park.
Foundation president Ruth Modzelewski said that pre-registrants could win gift cards in a raffle.
“We're trying to add a bit more fun while we're waiting for everyone to finish up before we give out the awards.”
The mostly flat course will follow Little Pine Creek from Kiwanis Park toward Etna, with the finish line at Kiwanis Park's entrance. The top three male and female finishers and top finishers per age group will receive plaques.
The Runner's High will provide participants with wearable timing chips that will record their individual race times using radio frequency identification. Modzelewski said this method ensures more accurate and quicker results than the manual timing system previously used. The Runner's High will post the race results on its website by the end of the day.
The foundation hopes to raise $5,000 through the 5K to support the educational needs and curricular advancement of Shaler students, she said. To meet its goal, the foundation has added new fundraising elements this year.
For instance, last year more than 70 attendees only registered for the race, while this year's attendees also may seek donors to support them.
The foundation also has added a group registration option for sports teams, work colleagues, youth groups, clubs and more.
Adam Hunter, Shaler Area varsity soccer coach, wants his team to participate in the race in lieu of practice. He and student team captains Jake Jashinski, Matt Potock and Peter Moorey are creating a video for the team's Twitter and Facebook pages challenging the district's other sports teams to register.
“We want to hopefully grow this (race) in years to come and to get sponsors so that more money goes back into the district,” Hunter said, after noting his goal of having all 35 members of the varsity and junior varsity soccer teams participate.
The foundation is seeking tax-deductible event sponsorships ranging from $100 to $500. Sponsors must submit their paperwork by Sept. 8 to ensure listing on event T-shirts. Similarly, race participants must register by then to guarantee they will receive shirts in their sizes.
The “Foundation Challenge,” will conclude during homecoming weekend. Shaler Area alumna Dorothy Petrancosta initiated the challenge by making a donation to the foundation and printing a solicitation letter inside programs at the nonprofit's other annual fundraiser — “A Taste of Shaler Area” — in March.
Following the race, the homecoming parade will start at 10:30 a.m., traveling from the St. Bonaventure Church parking lot at 2001 Mt. Royal Blvd. to Titan Stadium at 381 Wible Run Road, according to Bethany Baker, Shaler Area school district communications specialist. Afterward, the community is invited to a picnic with food vendors at Shaler Area Middle School, 1800 Mount Royal Blvd. The Titan football team will play Penn Hills High School at 1:30 p.m. at the stadium.
Erica Cebzanov is a Tribune-Review contributor.
