Nayatt 5K Takes Over Neighborhood

The seventh annual Nayatt 5K Run/Walk takes over Barrington's Nayatt neighborhood tomorrow morning.

The event is the annual PTO fundraiser for Nayatt Elementary School. Co-chair Jennifer Scalia describes it as "way more than just a race. It's a series of races, a raffle, a neighborhood event."

The main event, though, is the 5K Run/Walk, which starts at 10 am and takes place on a USATF sanctioned course. Top runners from throughout the area almost always compete.

“The course is beautiful," said Scalia, who is co-chairing the event with Ed Roskiewicz. "It winds through the neighborhoods of Nayatt School and along the banks of the Barrington River.”

Kids races will precede the 5K with music provided by the Bayside YMCA during registration, which starts at 7:15 am.

The kids’ races include a 1-mile run for ages 6-12 starting at 9 am, and a 1/3-mile run for ages 5-9 and a 50-yard dash for ages 2-4 starting at around 9:30 am.

Mark Searles, a meteorologist with WJAR-TV who lives in Barrington, will be announcing the event and the race winners. All 1/3-mile runners and 50-yard dash participants will receive a medal, Scalia said.

“Medals will also be awarded to the top finishers in each age group for the 1-mile run, and a $100 cash prize will be given to the top overall male and female 5K participants,” said Scalia.

“We will also have a table-top fair made up of our larger sponsors, which will provide food and drinks at no charge,” said Scalia. “A raffle will be part of our fair, which will include great items such as a Bose iPhone SoundDock.”

Bring a non-perishable food item for a donation to TAP-IN and “you will get a free raffle ticket for the prize of your choice,” she said.

The 5K run will again be timed electronically by RaceWire. Prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third place finishers for males and females in each of these age categories: 10 and under, 11-14, 15-19, 20-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70+. 

Runners have been encouraged to pick up their race bags before Saturday, said Scalia. But all the race details also are on the website.

Main sponsors this year include Veracode, Bank Newport and RI Foot Care, Inc. Many other local businesses support the event as well, she said.

“We can’t make this happen without them,” said Scalia. “We are excited for a fun and exciting day for kids and adults, with a focus on health, exercise, community and family."