Middletown's Citizens Bank 5K Summer Fun Run On Pace to Reach Record Crowd!

Middletown, CT — A record crowd of over 600 runners, set in 2015, is expected to participate in this year’s Citizens Bank 5K Summer Fun Run on July 20! The event features a 5K and ½ Mile Kids Fun Run. Citizens Bank and The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce are working together to create the annual family-oriented festival and road race. Community members and groups, including the YMCA and Downtown Business District, help make the festival a success.

“Citizens Bank is proud to be the title sponsor for the 5K Summer Fun Run, bringing the community together for an incredible evening of entertainment and athleticism,” said Lisa Maass, President, Citizens Bank, Connecticut. “We look forward to another great turnout as we work together to raise money to support so many deserving organizations in our community and collect canned goods for Middletown’s Amazing Grace Food Pantry.”

The festival offers live entertainment by Run for Cover, Oddfellows Street Performers, moonwalk, giant inflatable slide, clowns, face painting and more! This year’s 5K race also includes a number of team competitions including the Pratt & Whitney Corporate Team Challenge, Urgent Ortho Healthcare Challenge, Courthouse Challenge and School Team Challenge. For team inquires please email jody@jbsports.com.

This year’s 5K course again showcases Main Street and incorporates the historic Wesleyan campus. The first 500 5K entrants receive a technical running shirt. The non-competitive ½ mile Kids Fun Run precedes the 5K race. Entry fees for Middletown children are waived and all Kids Fun Run participants receive a t-shirt and finisher’s ribbon.

Race President Jay Woron states, “The support from local businesses, City Hall, Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Business District, and other groups is better than what we could have imagined.” Over the last 19 years, the non-profit event has given $150,000 to many charities. The event plans to donate to the Chamber Mentor Program, North Middlesex YMCA, Oddfellows Playhouse, Kiwanis Club, Warm the Children, Art Farm and Amazing Grace Food Pantry. A check presentation will take place prior to the start of the 5K race with a representative from each organization.

Race participants are encouraged to support Middletown’s Amazing Grace Food Pantry by bringing donations of non-perishable food items to the race. Amazing Grace Food Pantry serves more than 1,000 local families each month.

Sponsor of the event include Citizens Bank, The City of Middletown, Greater Middlesex Chamber of Commerce, Pratt & Whitney, Urgent Ortho, Middletown Teachers Federation, Radio 104.1 WMRQ, Bomba 97.1, Downtown Business District, Guilmartin, DiPiro & Sokolowski, LLC, Fortuna & Cartelli, PC Attorneys, Young’s Printing & Mailing and Connecticut Rental Center. To register or to learn more about the event, visit www.jbsports.com.