Filling In The Blanks To Host 'Unite To Fight 5K' Race In New Canaan

NEW CANAAN, CT — Filling in the Blanks will host its fourth annual Unite to Fight 5K race Aug. 21 in New Canaan.

After hosting a virtual race two years in a row, the 5K will take place in-person this year at New Canaan High School, the non-profit announced in a news release. The course will be run through Waveny Park.

The 5K was created by NCHS alumni Britt Gardella in memory of her mother, Kristen Reynolds Ruth, who was passionate about working with and helping children. The race seeks to build community and raise funds to provide weekend meals for children facing food insecurity in local neighborhoods, according to Filling in the Blanks.

"J5 is an insurance consulting firm with a solid foundation helping others, we see no better way to achieve this on a social basis than supporting Filling in the Blanks," J5 Consulting Founder Michael Johnson said in a news release. "Any chance we get to help with the fight to beat childhood food insecurity we are all in. This is both a personal and corporate mission for us."

Fleet Feet in Westport and Athletic Shoe Factory in New Canaan will have early check in stations Aug 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Aug. 19 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The race begins at 8:15 a.m., followed by the kids fun run at 9:15 a.m. There will also be a Kid's Zone going on throughout the event.