Run for the Troops 5K

The friends and family of Colleen Ritzer created this 5K Walk/Run to celebrate Colleen’s life and her commitment to helping and inspiring others. Through the Step Up for Colleen Walk/Run, organizers and participants celebrate Colleen and the values by which she lived. The net proceeds benefit the Colleen E. Ritzer Memorial Fund, Inc. which benefits charitable activities honoring Colleen’s legacy including the Colleen E. Ritzer Memorial Scholarship. The Scholarship was established by Colleen’s family to benefit graduating high school seniors, who are Andover and Danvers residents, who demonstrate a passion for teaching, academic excellence and love of family and who will pursue a degree in education.

Learn more about Colleen, this event and the Colleen E. Ritzer Memorial Scholarship.

Who We Are: Healthy Kids Running Series is a five (5) week running program in the spring and fall for kids Pre-K through 8th grade. Each HKRS Series takes place once a week and offers age-appropriate running events including the 50 & 75 yard dashes, the 1/4 mile, the 1/2 mile and the 1 mile run. Kids will earn points for each race they complete based on their finish.

Pricing: The registration fee covers the entire five (5) weeks of the Series which includes race bibs for each week, a runner shirt, a finisher medal and any sponsor giveaways. Registration is non-refundable and non-transferable. Online Early Bird registration increases three weeks prior to the first race event.

Challenger: This Series offers a Challenger Division which is an adaptive 75 yard race for children with disabilities and/or special needs. This allows for parents, siblings, and friends to be on the course with runners to provide support as well as bringing their own supportive devices such as crutches, braces, wheelchairs, etc. to be used by runners.

Single Day Racing: Single day race registration opens one hour prior to the start of each race. The registration fee covers one single race to be run on the day of registration. ALL single day registrations should be completed onsite at the race location. Single day racers will have the option to upgrade to the full series (see tab on the left side of the page for instructions). There is a strict no-refund and no-transfer policy.

Awards: All participants receive a medal on Week 5! Trophies will be awarded to the overall top finishers in each of the divisions listed below (broken out by boys and girls respectively):

Pre-K 50 Yard Dash

Pre-K 75 Yard Dash

Kindergarten & 1st Grade

2nd & 3rd Grade

4th & 5th Grade

6th to 8th Grade

Challenger

Share your running photos with our community! Find us on Facebook @HealthyKidsRunning or Instagram @healthykidsrs!

#GetUpandGo

The 9th Annual Wildcat Trail Run event is a beautiful event that starts/finishes at the Danvers YMCA Camp over-looking the picturesque Stiles Pond in Boxford. Both the run and the walk around the Wildcat State Forest Trail that features ponds, vernal pools & scenic surroundings-- there is a separate course for the runners and walkers/waggers. The post-race celebration includes tasty treats for all and the coveted chance for one lucky participant to win a $150 GC to New England Running Company!

$ Cash Prizes for the Fastest Male/Female, Special Gift Card Prizes for 2-3 fastest Male/Female. Special race shirt for all participants who sign up by March 31. All participants receive a special cinch bag with coupons/treats.

Race starts at 9:30am, registration opens at 8:30am. GPS location: 4a Stiles Pond Road, Boxford.