Citizens Bank Summer Fun Run Expects Nearly 600 Runners Tomorrow!

Contact: John Bysiewicz (203) 710-2391

Date: July 17, 2018

Middletown, CT: A crowd of 600 runners is expected to participate in tomorrow’s Citizens Bank 5K Summer Fun Run. The event features a 5K and ½ Mile Kids Fun Run. Citizens Bank and The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce are teaming up to create the annual family-oriented festival and road race, which raises funds for local nonprofit organizations. 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 in the streets of downtown Middletown,” said Lisa Maass, President, Citizens Bank, Connecticut. “Citizens Bank colleagues will be on-hand to volunteer, and to cheer on the many runners who make this an annual summer tradition. We look forward to another great turnout as we work together to raise money to support so many deserving organizations in our community.”

The festival offers live entertainment from Run for Cover, Oddfellows Street Performers, moonwalk, giant inflatable slide, clowns from Artfarm and more! This year’s 5K race also includes a number of team competitions including the Pratt & Whitney Corporate Team Competition, Urgent Ortho Healthcare Challenge for teams in the healthcare industry and the School Team Challenge for middle and high schools teams. For team inquiries please email maggie@jbsports.com.

The 5K course is flatter and faster as of 2017. The course showcases Main Street and 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 courtesy of the Middletown Federation of Teachers. All Kids Fun Run participants receive a t-shirt, a finisher’s ribbon, and a complimentary single use pass for Kidcity Children’s Museum.

Race President Jay Woron states, “The support from local businesses, City Hall, Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Business District, and many more groups is better than what we could have imagined.” Over the last 20 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, ARTFARM, Oddfellows Playhouse, the Amazing Grace Food Pantry and other worthy organizations. 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. The Amazing Grace Food Pantry serves more than 1,000 local families each month.

Sponsors of the event include Citizens Bank, Pratt & Whitney, Urgent Ortho, Chabaso Bakery, Guilmartin, Dipiro, Sokolowski, LLC, Bomba 97.1, Radio 104.1 WMRQ, Middletown Federation of Teachers. Updike, Kelly & Spellacy, PC, and Connecticut Rental Center.