Lots of buzz over 2nd Rocky Point 5K

Posted 5/1/14

“So exciting” are the words printed on a colorful promotion poster for the second annual Rocky Point 5K, a 3.1-mile run or walk around picturesque Warwick Neck that will step off on Saturday …

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Lots of buzz over 2nd Rocky Point 5K

Posted

“So exciting” are the words printed on a colorful promotion poster for the second annual Rocky Point 5K, a 3.1-mile run or walk around picturesque Warwick Neck that will step off on Saturday morning, May 10 at 10 a.m.

The well-organized 5K, which will feature mega-sponsors for everything from three water stations to food and fruit for all runners and walkers, is produced by the Central Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce.

According to Chamber President Lauren Slocum, last year’s 5K raised more than $5,000 for local charities and attracted 350 registrations with 337 people actually picking up their race packages and 310 runners and walkers crossing the finish line.

So what’s in store for the May 10 5K?

For starters, this year’s race will feature a total of $1,600 in cash prizes, with $150 going to the first overall male and female finishers. The overall male and female runners-up will each receive $100.

“We are proud to again announce that 100 percent of the proceeds will directly benefit local non-profits, enhancing and enriching the community,” Slocum began. “We have a number of great sponsors led by Centreville Bank and National Grid.”

Centreville Bank has signed on as the official and all-important timing sponsor while National Grid will sponsor the Race Shute.

Yankee Timing of Nashua, N.H. – a leader in New England-based road races that’s owned by Dave Camire – will return as the official race timer and also feature a digital display board at the finish line giving each runner and walker’s time.

Slocum said this year’s benefiting non-profits would be the Boys & Girls Clubs of Warwick and Rhode Island Mentoring Partnership.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Warwick, race officials noted, “provides over 1,100 boys and girls a safe place to learn and grow, ongoing relationships with caring adult professionals, life-enhancing programs, character development experiences and most importantly – the Club provides youth with hope and opportunity.”

The Rhode Island Mentoring Partnership (RIMP) is a non-profit organization that works with people improve the lives of children by providing them with a trained, safe, quality mentor. As the experts in mentoring in the state, the Partnership operates mentoring programs in public schools in Warwick, Woonsocket, Newport and Middletown.

In addition to those two non-profit agencies, the Rocky Point 5K will donate a playground bench to Warwick Neck School where people will register and later enjoy a variety of fruits, beverages and food.

Slocum also announced that this year’s 5K will also result in a donation to the Rocky Point Foundation, yet another local non-profit that is currently planning a strategy to revive the once-famous area called Rocky Point Amusement Park.

Entry fee is $35 per runner or walker and includes race shirt, runner’s bag, number and chip. Pre-registration is preferred and runners and walkers may register online at rockypoint5k.com or May 9 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Warwick Neck School or on race morning, May 10, beginning at 8:30.

The course, which Slocum said is the same as last year, has been sanctioned by the United States of America Track & Field (USATF) and certified by Ray Nelson.

The 5K will start and finish on Rocky Point Avenue and make its way onto Warwick Neck Avenue, Channing Street, Young Avenue, Meadow View Avenue Bike/Walking Path, Palmer Avenue, Brinton Avenue, Camp Street, Ogden Avenue, Cliff Road, Priscilla Avenue, Alden Avenue, Pyle Avenue, Nest Avenue onto the Rocky Point Walking Path and straight up Rocky Point Avenue.

Norm Bouthillier, 48, a teacher and coach at Toll Gate High School in Warwick, won last year’s Rocky Pont 5K with a time of 18:04.7. Warwick’s Robert Corsi, 35, was runner-up in 18:08.6 while Dave Schadd, 51, of East Greenwich took third in 19:28.3.

Jenna Moen, 19, was the first woman finisher. She covered the 3.1-mile trek in 19:51.1 and Zofia Wieciorkowski, 50, of Stratford, Conn., was runner-up in 19:55.1. Third place went to Issy Nielson, 30, of Warwick, who had a time of 20:35.6.

According to Slocum, 143 runners have registered and “that’s way ahead of last year,” said Slocum.

The post-race will include everything from presentation of cash prizes to apples, oranges, bananas, pears, clam cakes, dough boys – a true Rocky Point tradition – energy bars, water, Gatorade, cookies, pizza, bagels and cream cheese, pastry and coffee.

Runners and walkers may also register at the CRICC office, located at 3288 Post Road in the Apponaug Village of Warwick or call 732-1100 for more information.

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