Somerville, Mass. (September 27, 2010) – Lace up those sneakers and get ready to run. The Somerville Homeless Coalition is holding their 15th Annual 5K Road Race October 2nd, starting in Davis Square. After the race, there will be a brunch provided by local restaurants, awards for top finishers in each category and top overall male and female runners, free t-shirts for the first 400 registrants and music provided by the Kirsten & Dave Acoustic Band. Runners, walkers, and wheelchair participants are invited to go the distance in support of the non-profit organization. All proceeds will benefit the SHC and the programs and services it provides to the homeless and near-homeless in Somerville and the Greater Boston area.
Check-in and day of registration can be done the day of the event between 7 a.m. – 8:30 a.m or online at Active.com, until September 30th. The race starts at 9 a.m. sharp; rain or shine. Cost is $20 per runner. The course, an urban trail with varied terrain, will start and end in Davis Square. In 2009, the race had over 1,000 runners, which is expected to be exceeded this year.
The SHC has also invited a team of 15 homeless athletes to run in the 5K from the new Boston chapter of Back on My Feet, another local non-profit organization which promotes the self-sufficiency of homeless populations by engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem.
The organization creates running teams of those experiencing homelessness and living in transitional housing, with BOMF volunteers. “Residential members” and “non-residential members” as they are called, run together three times a week and in monthly competitive races. If members maintain 90 percent attendance at those early morning runs, they are welcomed into a comprehensive program that offers connections to job training, employment and housing. The SHC’s 5K Road Race has been chosen by the BOMF organization as their official October month race.
“The community support we receive each year for our annual Road Race is incredible,” said Mark Alston-Follansbee, Executive Director of the SHC. “We have runners from all over, an incredible brunch donated from our wonderful Davis Square restaurants, and sponsors who care about our work and want to help. It’s very encouraging to see so many people band together to raise funds for the homeless and near-homeless, and we are very grateful.”
To learn more about the Somerville Homeless Coalition or to register for the event, visit www.shcinc.org or call Jen Merrill at 617-623-6111.
The Somerville Homeless Coalition is a non-profit organization committed to ending homelessness and near-homelessness in the Somerville and Greater Boston areas. The SHC currently provides supportive services, resources and housing to over 600 men, women and children. For more information on the Somerville Homeless Coalition, please visit www.shcinc.org or call 617-623-6111.
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