Race For Catherine Returns To Newtown For 6th Year

NEWTOWN, CT — Runners and walkers will come together in Newtown next month for the sixth annual Race for Catherine, honoring the life and legacy of Catherine Violet Hubbard.

Hosted by the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary, the “5K for Kindness” will take place Oct. 9-11, with an in-person race planned for Sunday, Oct. 11, at Fairfield Hills. Participants can also run or walk virtually from anywhere during the weekend.

The event raises money for the sanctuary's year-round programs, which seek to foster empathy and compassion through connections with animals, people and nature.

“Every year, the Race For Catherine reminds us that Catherine’s story continues to bring people together in such a beautiful way,” Jenny Hubbard, Catherine's mother and president of the sanctuary, said in a statement.

“Whether someone is running with hundreds of people in Newtown or taking a walk in their own neighborhood, every step helps carry Catherine’s legacy forward and supports the work we do in her name,” Hubbard said.

Catherine, a 6-year-old first-grader who loved animals, was among those killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. The sanctuary was founded in her honor in 2013.

The in-person event will feature a USATF-certified and timed 5K through Fairfield Hills, along with a Kids Kindness Dash for children ages 3 to 9, rescued animal ambassadors, adoptable animals, free breakfast, race swag, finisher medals and prizes.

The in-person race is Sunday, Oct. 11, at Fairfield Hills. The virtual race runs Oct. 9-11 and can be completed from anywhere. More information and registration details are available through the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary.