Running for Fun and Funds

This Saturday, hundreds of pairs of feet will quite literally hit the ground running in Cape St. Claire. The ninth annual takes place on April 30, rain or shine, beginning and ending in the school parking lot.

Winding its way through neighborhood streets, the theme of this year’s Fun Run is “Escape Through the Cape.” The run is actually comprised of two events—a 5K race that starts at 8:30 a.m. and a one-mile run that sets off at 8:45 a.m.

Event organizers Susan Ogden and Kerry Wilson report that, while they have received 120 entries, many more likely have been mailed to the school over the past week during spring break. The duo expects increased participation over last year’s 250 entrants.

Pre-registration for the Fun Run is $10 for children aged 5 to 14 (under 5 are free) and $15 registrants who are 15 and older. Fees on on the day of the event are $12 and $20, respectively, and registration will be open from 7:30 – 8:15 a.m. at Cape St. Claire Elementary School.

Cape St. Claire Elementary’s Fun Run represents one of the largest fundraisers of the year. Last year, it earned thousands of dollars, of which every penny was put toward purchasing and installing a much-need new piece of .

Monies raised from this year’s race will be used to expand the playground with more equipment. The addition should prove to be a popular move based on the frequent queues that form during recess for the current climbing gyms.

This year, Ogden and Wilson—who also serve on the board of the CSCES Parent Teacher Organization—have planned their first-ever pre-race pasta dinner the evening prior to the Fun Run. Noodles & Company of Annapolis Mall will be serving mac and cheese, penne rosa and spaghetti and meatballs at the school on April 29, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Everyone is invited to the pasta dinner, even those who are not participating in the Fun Run, and entry packets will be distributed to the racers who attend the dinner. The cost of the dinner, which also includes salad, water or juice and a rice crispy treat is $5.50 per person by April 25th or $7.00 per person at the door.

While the 5K race is timed, the one-mile run is more relaxed, and participants are welcome to bring strollers, though bicycles, skateboards and rollerblades are prohibited for safety. Since the 5K is a competition, “medals will be given for first and second place 5K runners in various age groups,” Ogden says. “"And, we will be giving out a little finisher prize to each person who completes their race, plus various prizes at the pasta dinner."

Several local vendors who are supporting Saturday’s Fun Run will also have information available at the event, including: Living Chiropractic, Hoffman Animal Hospital, TD Bank, Noodles & Company and Happy Days Child Care.

More local businesses and organizations that have donated to the Fun Run are: Cape True Value, Ergonomically Correct, Amy Juras of Champion Realty, Niland Jewelers, Annapolis Volvo, Richard’s Tree Care, El Toro Bravo, Allstate Insurance, Naumann Plumbing, John Collins Group, Jeff Wilson Consulting, Fleet Feet, WNAV, CSC PTO, a.i. solutions, Bella’s Liquors, Port Tack Ltd. Wines & Spirits, Cape St. Claire Improvement Association, Mark Feen of Long and Foster, Three Brothers Pizza of Annapolis, Giant at Riva at Festival, Graul’s Market and Sam’s Club.