Healthy Kids Running Series Spring 2026 - North Reading, MA

The Course

The 5K is a flat road race around scenic Lake Quannapowitt, beginning and ending at the same area on the lower common. The Kids 1-Mile Fun Run, for children ages 10 and under, also takes place from the lower common. Although the 1-mile route is protected and lined with parents cheering on their children, parents do not run the 1-mile, so this race may not be appropriate for children under age 5.

Facilities

Port-a-potties will be available for the race.

Proceeds

The proceeds will benefit the Greenwood School PTO and the Wakefield Educational Foundation (WEF), both 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. The Greenwood School PTO funds innovative classroom supplies, books for the school library, STEAM enrichment resources, and cultural and school community events. WEF provides a bridge to allow funding for hands-on learning that is unobtainable within the current school system budget.

Schedule of Events

Check-in and Registration: 8:15 AM

Warm Up for kids: 8:30 AM

Children's 1-Mile Fun Run: 9 AM

5K Start: 9:30 AM

Awards: 10:30 AM

Directions & Parking

The race will begin at Wakefield's lower common on Lake Quannapowitt. The roadways that intersect at this point are Main Street and Church Street.

Current Greenwood Students

Current Greenwood School students should register through this webpage to run in the 1-Mile race and fundraise.

Sponsorship

If you would like to sponsor the Gator Gallop with $100 or more, please visit our Sponsorship page for further details.

The Theodore Star

Theodore has been honored in the sky with a special star named after him: The Theodore Star.

We lost our little boy / Vanessa’s little brother - Theodore - in 2021 about a month after he turned 2 years old. He was born without any kidneys, but nevertheless was born a medical miracle - and flourished quite marvelously for 2 years despite not having the typical blueprint that was compatible with life. While he did have some challenges given his medically complex situation, nevertheless -this little boy, like all children, filled our life with love and laughter. He was our little hero. During the last month of his life, he unfortunately became critically ill and his condition/situation wasn't understood nor able to be medically solved…

To fill this gaping hole in our heart and lives…we have sought lots of helpful outlets. One of which is why we decided to start this memorial race in his honor. He, and we, loved our stroller walks through our neighborhood, so it gives us great peace and happiness to be able to keep his memory alive with this meaningful race event. We have brought many in our community together as a result as well as to raise awareness and funds for Boston Children’s Hospital, Johns Hopkins, as well as the Children’s House (Believe in Tomorrow foundation). We would love to have you join as well!!!

Info about this Memorial Event

Theodore had just celebrated his second birthday one month before he had to go to heaven, so we have elected this to be an annual 2-mile race in honor of the beautiful time we had with him here on Earth.

The race will start in the Fuller Meadow Elementary School parking lot, continue into the Brigadoon neighborhood through the paved path, loop around the entire Brigadoon neighborhood, and then finish back through the connecting path back into the school parking lot. Runners, trotters, walkers, strollers, or even just spectators are all welcome!

The venue of our neighborhood is very special, as it’s full of so many beautiful family memories. We hope you can join us! Theodore (and all of the special stars of everyone's hearts) will surely be soaring with us through this course as we remember and celebrate together!

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.

We hope you will join us for this year's Reading Lions Journey for Sight 5K!

The Reading Lions Club ("Club") and The Friends of Reading Recreation annually present a family-friendly 5K Road Race and 1 Mile Walk through central Reading. All proceeds from the race are donated to the Massachusetts Lions Eye Research Fund (MLERF), and other local sight-related charities supported by the Club. MLERF finances basic eye research at world renowned institutions such as the Mass. Eye and Ear right here in Boston. Over the years, the Club has donated over $350,000 from the proceeds of this race to MLERF, and we are excited to continue these efforts in conjunction with the Friends of Reading Recreation (FORR).