Participants in the 11th annual Eagle Run in Avon will have a new starting and finish line this year. All Pro Freight Stadium is the new site for the event, which will take place at 8:30 a.m. on May 28. Registration will begin at 7:15 a.m.In its previous 10 years, the Eagle Run has taken place at Avon High School and the EMH Avon Health Campus.
The race will also have a new main sponsor in Kaiser Permanente. Audra Kessler, director of corporate and marketing communications for Kaiser Permanente said last year they found out that Eagle Run had lost its main sponsor so they immediately contacted the organizers of the race to get involved.
“Healthy communities are critical to an individuals health and wellness, and creating these environments have been central to our mission,” said Kessler, who has won a couple of awards from her participation in past Eagle Runs. “It’s a great event that brings out all members of the family.”
Flavorseal, another race sponsor and Avon business, offered to pay the entry fee for any employee and an immediate family member who wanted to participate in Eagle Run.
“This race is an extension of who we are,” said Flavorseal President Chris Carroll. He added that more than 50 of his team members have been training over the winter in preparation to excel in the race.
Runners can choose to participate in either a 5-mile run or a 5-kilometer run/walk.
Half of all funds raised for the event will benefit the Avon Schools Educational Endowment Fund. Jim Reitenbach, superintendent of the Avon Local School District, said that the fund is set up to provide additional money “over and above what the district can afford for learning opportunities for children.”
Money raised in the past, for example, has paid for the buses that transport students on a field trip to an archaeological dig and also covers their food and any resulting fees.
It was decided 11 years ago that half of the proceeds each year would go to the ASEEF with the remainder split among worthwhile non-profit organizations. Last year, the event raised a total of $20,000 with $10,000 being divided equally between the Avon Senior Center and Community Resource Services.
Reitenbach said his personal highlight of each year’s event is the kids fun run. This year, children 13 years old and younger can run on the field that the Crushers play on and will win trophies and shirts.
A pre-registration fee of $20 is due for the 5-mile and 5K by May 25 and includes a hat, ticket, and shirt. The 1-mile kids fun run costs $10.
Awards will be given out to the top three finishers in a variety of age divisions. More than 1000 people are expected to participate in this year’s Eagle Run.
For more race information or to find out how to become a sponsor, visit avoneaglerun.org.
