AUBURN — Registration for the 10th annual Greater L-A Triple Crown 5K Series is open.
Online registration and downloadable forms are available online or forms can also be picked up at the YMCA of Auburn-Lewiston located at 62 Turner St.
The series, which includes the YMCA Fit Fest, Emily’s Run and the Bridge Run, has become a community running event and major fundraising component locally. More than 2,000 participants in 2016 have allowed for the funding of three local community organizations and foundations. Over $34,000 was donated last year to the Auburn-Lewiston YMCA, the Fletcher Foundation and the Bridge Run Foundation. Proceeds from the 2017 Race Series will also go to these organizations and foundations.
The YMCA, through its Financial Assistance Program, provides opportunities such as youth sports, day camp, child care, swim lessons and health & wellness education to all regardless of their inability to pay.
The Fletcher Foundation provides Edward Little High School student athletes with $1,000 college scholarships along with a significant donation to the Auburn Public Library. Additionally, The foundation supports the Auburn Nordic Ski Association, Androscoggin Land Trust, The Stanton Bird Club and a program at ELHS that provides for families in need at Christmas.
The Bridge Run Foundation supports active outdoor experiences for area youth to promote health and well-being. Many local teens from the Auburn-Lewiston Boys and Girls Club and from both middle schools have attended the Appalachian Mountain Teen Wilderness Programs funded entirely by The Bridge Run Foundation. In addition, each of these organizations provide for all children ages 14 and younger to run the three L-A Triple Crown races for free.
The Greater L-A Triple Crown fundraising series consists of three 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) races and is open to runners and walkers of all ages. Registration for all three races is $60 or $25 for individual races before April 1. After April 1, Triple Crown registration goes up to $70 while individual races remain the same. The last day for Triple Crown registration is June 11, and the price will increase to $75. Individual 5K registrations increase to $30 on race day. Registration for all Triple Crown 5K events is free for all children ages 14 and younger.
This year there will be cash prizes for the overall male and female in the top five places. There are also category prizes for first and second place finishers in specific age categories.
For participants that do all three races of the L-A Triple Crown Series, there will be cash prizes to the top five overall male and female finishers. In addition, there’ll also be signature Triple Crown prizes for the first and second place male and female in each five year age division.
This year, all participants that run all three races will be able to take part in a grand prize raffle as well as other raffle prizes provided by local businesses. There will also be a Triple Crown Participation and Team Award for those who complete the Triple Crown Series.
The series opens with the YMCA Fit Fest, Sunday, June 11, at Festival Plaza in Auburn; followed by Emily’s Run on Sunday, July 23, at Edward Little High School and finishes with the L-A Bridge Run on Sunday, Aug. 27, at the Rollodrome in Auburn.
Each course is USA Track & Field certified, and Emily’s Run has been designated as the Road Runners Club of America Maine State Championship event.
Each 5K will begin at 8:30 a.m. and feature chip timing, prize drawings, food, refreshments, massage, music, and awards that will start at 10 a.m.
The Auburn Firefighter’s Local 797 Kids’ Fun Run will precede each 5K at 8 a.m. The fun run is free to all youngsters, and registrations will only be accepted on the day of the event.
FMI, register: www.triplecrown5k.com.
Triple Crown committee board members are, from left, Erin Dunbar, Scott Brown, Michael Girardin, Jeff Wigton, Alan Groudle, Marcie Hird, Mary Murphy, Marie Veselsky, Ralph Fletcher, Erin McKay, David Hediger, Jamie Theriault, Shawn Vincent and Mike Lecompte. Not pictured are Amy Hediger, Ben Fletcher, Mona Murphy and Maureen Goff.
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