Run, Walk, Have Fun For Charity

Run, walk, have some family fun with Barrington firefighters on Sunday. And help to benefit some worthwhile charitable endeavors.

"It's our fourth 5K and our second Family Fun Day," said Joe Giardina, who coordinates the annual charity event by Barrington Firefighters Local 1774 with Ted Paull.

The event takes place at Barrington High School.

Proceeds generated from the race, the 2-mile walk and two dashes for kids will be donated to local charities through the Barrington RI Firefighters Charity Fund.

This year’s featured charity is Heartworks in Barrington – a non-profit group created in the months and years following September 11, 2001. 

"All of the proceeds from the walk will go to Heartworks," Giardina said.

Heartworks helps those in the community who encounter unexpected life circumstances and provides people with assistance during challenging times.

The event kicks off at 9 am with two races for children -- 50-yard and 100-yard dashes. The walk will start at 9:30 am. The 5K will start at 10:15 am.

Pre-event electronic registration is $12 (you can register online at www.barringtonrifire.com). Event-day registration is $15 from 8 am to 9:45 am at the high school.

The professionally timed race will be run rain or shine. The course starts and finishes at Barrington High School and will travel along Lincoln Avenue, Upland Way, Foote Street, Prince’s Hill Avenue, Maple Avenue, and Middle Highway.

Prizes will be awarded to top runners, said Giardina. You can view a map of the course at www.barringtonrifire.com.

Post-event festivities include a runners' raffle, music by a DJ, refreshments, professional booths, pony rides touch a truck, the Pink Heals fire truck, children's moon bounce, a dunk tank, fire prevention demonstrations and a cookout.

The 5K and fun day usually raises a couple of thousand dollars a year, which is donated to worthy causes throughout the year, said Giardina.

"We put a lot of work into it and it's good to see how it turns out," he said. "It also helps put a face on firefighters for the community. The entire department will be helping out and stopping by."

For more information, go to Facebook at Barrington Rhode Island FireFighters Local 1774 Memorial Day Weekend 5K Charity Road Race.