From the Achieve Foundation:
Achieve will host its 24th Annual Newstead 5K on Saturday, September 26, welcoming runners and walkers of all ages and abilities to kick off the new school year while supporting Achieve’s programs and services.
The race will begin at 9:00 a.m. at the South Mountain School Annex, with the course winding through the Newstead neighborhood. Volunteers will be stationed along the route to guide participants and cheer them on throughout the morning.
Register today before prices increase on September 15. All proceeds from the race will help Achieve continue to support the students, families and educators in the South Orange-Maplewood School District through initiatives like Achieve’s Volunteer Tutor Program, Educator Grants, Support for the Arts, STEM Education including Maker Madness and much more.
In addition to the 5K, the event will feature a Toddler Race and Kids Fun Run, sponsored by SOMEA (South Orange Maplewood Education Association), making it a family-friendly morning for participants of all ages. Strollers are welcome, but for safety reasons, dogs are not permitted on the course.
This year’s race will also welcome three-time Olympian Hazel Clark as honorary race starter. A South Orange native and Columbia High School alumna, Clark represented Team USA in the 800 meters at the 2000, 2004, and 2008 Olympic Games and went on to win six USA national championships during her professional career. Inducted into the Columbia High School Hall of Fame in 2023, Clark has returned to raise her family in her hometown. Hazel’s energy at the starting line is sure to inspire runners and walkers of all ages joining on this year’s Newstead 5K!
Three-time Olympian Hazel Clark, CHS Class of ’95 and CHS Hall of Famer, will be this year’s honorary race starter.
Returning Gold sponsor TRIumph Coaching will lead the warm-up exercises, and they have been providing free training plans to help participants prepare, whether they are running their first 5K or aiming for a personal record.
This event would not be possible without the generous support of this year’s sponsors, including lead sponsor The Able Baker. Additional sponsors are welcome and will be featured on the Acheive website.
Registration, sponsorship and other information can be found at https://achievefoundation.org/newstead-5k/
