BEF to Host 1st 5K Halloween Dash October 22nd
Both Runners and Walkers Encouraged to Wear Costumes, Support School Programs
The Bellingham Education Foundation will be hosting its first 5K Halloween Dash this year on Sunday October 22, 2023. Members of the community can don their best costumes and make a mad dash, or a comfortable creep, to the finish line for a scary good time that is fun for all ages. All participants running/walking must be registered.
“While this is still a race, we are absolutely welcoming people just coming to walk, and encouraging people to push their strollers,” says Kristina Mounsey, President of The Bellingham Educational Foundation, who points out that their support benefits local students.
The Bellingham Educational Foundation is a group of parent volunteers who have come together since 2012 to help raise funds that are critical to keeping Bellingham schools at the leading edge of public education. All funds raised support the Bellingham school system through an annual teacher grant program. To date, the group has raised over $250,000 since the foundation was founded in 2012. Grants have helped to fund innovative and sustainable programs such as robotics, flexible seating, upgrading equipment, technology, reading programs, and so much more.
This past spring, the BEF awarded $17,113 in grant, with awards to the following:
• Bellingham Early Childhood Program - Sensory Exploration with Light project
• DiPietro & Stallbrook - Dash 2.0 project (Robotics program)
• DiPietro - Dipietro Book Club
• BMS & BHS - Music in Memory: Celebrating the Life of Ian Shumaker
The Race starts at 9 a.m., with registration open at 8 a.m., and at press time, early bird registration was still open, with t-shirts for the first 100 registered participants. Male and female first place winners in eight age brackets will receive a medal. Age brackets include: 12 and under, 13-18, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70+. A water table will be available, and DJ Mike Rutkowski will provide entertainment.
The Halloween Dash 5K course starts and ends at DiPietro Elementary School. The first 100 people to register receive a T-Shirt with their registration price of $35. For more details and to register please visit www.belledfound.org .
If you cannot join The BEF for the event, please consider donating towards our fundraising goals. We also accept business sponsors!
The BEF is a nonprofit 501(c)(3). Donations are tax deductible.
