Walnut Hill Community Church, located at the corner of Smith and Ninth streets in Derby, is hosting the first Derby’s B.E.S.T. 5k Run / Walk.
The purpose of the event is to Better Empower the Students and Teachers (B.E.S.T.) in the Derby Public Schools to succeed.
Hosting a 5k event is not something new for the church. Over the past two years, Walnut Hill has hosted the Easter Run/Walk with the net proceeds going to BHCare’s Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services to aid in the fight against domestic abuse.
In mid-May, in response to a time of prayer, Pastor Walt Mayhew, Walnut Hill’s Derby Campus Pastor, reached out to Matthew Conway, Derby’s Superintendent of Schools, and offered to host a 5k Run/Walk to benefit Derby’s Public School students.
“The idea was consistent with our vision and mission of ‘Loving God and our Neighbor’ and the special place that children have in Jesus’ heart, so I followed through and offered to host the event,” Mayhew said.
Once Conway accepted the proposal, details were worked out on how to proceed and a race committee, composed of members of the church, the community, parents and professionals in the district, was formed to oversee the event and the distribution of the net funds raised.
Proceeds from the event will be kept separate from city funds and will be used to fund initiatives, submitted to the committee from district professionals, that will improve, enhance or enrich the educational experience of children in the Derby Public Schools.
The race committee’s Facebook page was just launched over the weekend and is already approaching 100 likes.
Over the weekend they also officially launched a website where people can register or get more information on the event.
The Derby’s B.E.S.T. 5k Run/Walk will take place on Saturday, September 27, 2014 on the Derby Greenway starting on the industrial park access road behind BJs at 20 Division St.
More information on the Run / Walk can also be found at the church’s website.
Check-in on race day begins at 8 a.m.
The Fun Run for younger children begins at 8:40 a.m., while the 5k Run/Walk starts at 9:00 a.m.
Awards with be presented to the top finishers overall and by age group.
A free post-race bib number raffle will be conducted and post-race refreshments will be served.
