Colonial Challenge 5K Kicks Off Sunday

"Just put on your sneakers and come," Morris School District Board of Education member Ann Rhines said at Monday night's meeting.

Rhine was referring to the Colonial Challenge 5K Event to be held at Ginty Field in Morris Township on Sunday.

Sponsored by the Morris Educational Foundation (MEF),the community event includes something for the entire family, Debbie Sontupeof the MEF said. 

Acccording to Sontupe, the MEF is pulling out all the stops to create a fun-filled party atmosphere for everyone with a DJ, live music from Art of Play, and, as always, post-race refreshments.

In addition, pre‐registered participants will receive upgraded shirts to MEF Colonial Challenge tech tees (same day registrants will receive tees while supplies last).

The event includes a fast, USATF‐certified 5K Road Race, a 1-mile fun run, and a 2‐mile family walk. In addition, the MEF is offering a family discount for families with four or more participants in the 5K or 2-mile walk. Also included is $1 per runner incentives for schools or grades with the most participants.

Onsite registration begins at 8 a.m. and a 5K road race starts at 10 a.m. The 1M Kids Race and a 2M Family Walk will follow shortly thereafter. An awards ceremony is scheduled for later in the morning.

"And for those of you who don't want to run, like me, you can walk," Rhines said.

Racers and walkers should sign up early at www.bit.ly/MEFColonialChallenge, Racers can also register as a team if they wish. Runners and walkers can also register onsite.

"Last year's event was our best yet, with so much enthusiasm and community spirit," said Richard Webber, event chairman and member of the Morris Educational Foundation Board.

According to Webber, last year over 600 participants showed up at Ginty Field. All of the schools in the Morris School District participated. Mark Manning, principal of Frelinghuysen Middle School, even gave a homework pass to all of his students who beat him in the race.

The Colonial Challenge raised $10,000 for grants that the Morris Educational Foundation provides for the schools. The mission of the MEF is to generate and distribute financial and other resources to and for the Morris School District for enrichment programs and other projects aimed at enhancing the quality of education and educational opportunities for students.