Elizabeth Esty to Speak at 4th Annual Sandy Hook 5K On Saturday

SANDY HOOK, CT-- The Sandy Hook and Newtown community are invited to cheer on runners and walkers Saturday who are participating to demonstrate their resilience since the tragic events of December 14, 2012.

The 4th Annual Sandy Hook 5K will bring together close to 2,000 adults and over 200 kids on Saturday, April 2, 2016 on the Fairfield Hills Campus in Newtown. Opening comments will be made by Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty, Newtown Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph Erardi, Jr. and St. Rose of Lima Pastor Monsignor Robert Weiss.

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The Sandy Hook 5K is organized by a group of volunteers committed to supporting the Newtown community. Organizers said in a release that the race theme is “'Love Runs Through' because love runs through everything being done to prepare for this event, and through every step taken to reach the goal of offering participants a world-class, one-of-a-kind family event filled with love."

“We are thrilled with the overwhelming response of this being our 4th year,” said race Co-Director Katie Blake. “It will be wonderful to see familiar faces, some who have been with us every year since 2013.”

“After hundreds of hours of planning, we are very excited for race day,” said race Co-Director Julie Brunelle. “Seeing smiling faces and hearing laughter after so much preparation makes it all worth it.”

The Newtown Memorial Fund will collect and process donations. Proceeds will be donated to the Collaborative Recovery Fund administered by the Newtown-Sandy Hook Community Foundation. The charity pays the out of pocket mental health expenses for those impacted by the tragedy.

A percentage of the proceeds will go directly to the 26 families who lost loved ones on December 14, 2012, many of whom will have information tables set up on race day.

This year’s race is being dedicated to all school employees, including teachers, school administrators, bus drivers and support staff who dedicate themselves to children and their communities.

The kids’ fun run starts at 9 a.m. The 5K begins at 9:30 a.m. Awards will be presented at 11 a.m. The event is being planned for rain or shine.

For a full list of sponsors, please visitwww.5krunforshf.org/race-sponsors/.