Students and staff members from four local schools will participate in the 8th Annual Playworks Run for Recess 5K on May 20 with funds raised going to support play and physical activity in 75 elementary schools across New England.
Three Jamaica Plain-based schools -- the Boston Teachers Union Pilot School, the Joseph P. Manning Elementary School, and the Mary E. Curley School -- and Hyde Park's Match Community Day School, will participate. The race is presented by Playworks New England, New Balance, Positive Tracks, and Social Boston Sports, and is taking place on Franklin Park's cross-country course.
The school team members will join an expected 1,000 participants who will run with the collective goal of raising $15,000 for Playworks New England. In its 11th year, the nonprofit, which is part of a national organization, brings play and youth development programming into schools during recess as a means to improve the health and well-being of children and to enhance learning through the power of play.
“At Playworks New England, we are working to transform recess into a place where all students are given the opportunity to feel included, be active, and build valuable conflict resolution, social, and emotional skills needed to thrive in the classroom and beyond,” said Jonathan Gay, Playworks New England Executive Director, via a press release. “We are grateful to all of our school partners who allow us to work with their students and staff members to ensure that all youth have a place on the playground.”
For the third consecutive year, Positive Tracks is the event’s Presenting Partner. The sports-based youth development organization empowers youth to get active and give back. The nonprofit assists Playworks New England with supporting youth participants by providing free hands on help, advocacy tips, and team building tools to help youth use their own minds and muscle to help causes they care about. In addition to helping kids learn how to sweat for good, Positive Tracks matches all money raised by Playworks Run for Recess 5K youth participants ages 23 and under. New Balance and Social Boston Sports are event sponsors, and for 10 years, New Balance has been the premier movement partner for Playworks New England.
Participants can choose from one of two running routes along the Franklin Park Playstead Field. All runners will get a Playworks goodie bag. The first 400 runners registered will receive a free Playworks t-shirt. An award presentation for the top three finishers will take place at the conclusion of the race. All participants will receive certificates.
Registration and start times are as follows:
• Pre-Registration and Registration opens at 8:30 am
• One Mile Fun Run beings at 10 am
• 5K Run for Recess begins at 10:30 am
• Recess noon - 1:00 pm
All ages welcome. Registration fees range from $10 to $50, dependent upon route and group packages. All fees increase by $5 for onsite at Franklin Park. To register for the 8th Annual Playworks Run for Recess 5K on May 20, to support a school team, or to volunteer, visit: https://www.playworks.org/communities/massachusetts/events/8th-annual-playworks-run-recess.