Footprints 5K Raises More Than $5,000 For Sandy Springs Students

More than 100 runners and an enthusiastic crowd of 250 spectators turned out for a bright, crisp autumn morning of fitness and family fun at the Sandy Springs Education Force’s first ever Footprints for the Future 5K and Family 1K Run.

The event was held on Saturday, Nov. 8 at Lake Forest Elementary School in Sandy Springs.

A Peachtree Road Race qualifier, Footprints is also part of the RUN & SEE Georgia Grand Prix Race Series. The race raised more than $5,000 to support SSEF’s educational and enrichment programs “that inspire and help all Sandy Springs public school students successfully finish high school and pursue productive lives after graduation,“ the organization said in a press release.

“We are thrilled by the success of our first-ever Footprints for the Future race, and we’re grateful to the runners, parents, students, principals, teachers, city officials and business leaders who sponsored the race, spread the word about it and came out to run and watch,” said Executive Director Irene Schweiger. “Our Sandy Springs community really came together to make this a wonderful event, and we look forward to an even bigger and better Footprints for the Future race next year.”

Student runners from Ridgeview Charter Middle School, Sandy Springs Charter Middle School and North Springs Charter High School helped establish a brisk pace in the 5K. Ridgeview cross country team coach Michael Strickland was the 5K men’s overall winner in 18:38 and Leah Kadetz took 1st place in the women’s overall in 23:37.

Jack Misiura came in first in the men’s 5K Masters group in 23:37 and Marla Hoppenfeld won the women’s 5K Masters group in 24:45.

Daughter Alexa Hoppenfeld took second in women’s overall, edging her mom over the finish line in 24:43. Bella and Sebastian LaCava tied for first place in the 1K Family Fun Run.

Spalding Drive Charter Elementary School‘s chorus entertained the runners and spectators with a concert.

Sponsors for Footprints for the Future 2014 included the Couchman-Noble Foundation, Cox Communications, Indigo Payments, Mitchell & Shapiro LLP, Hoffman & Associates LLC, Rotary Club of Sandy Springs, Fran Farias – State Farm Agent, Orangetheory Fitness Sandy Springs, Concentra Urgent Care, BodyFitz and Bishoku.

Visit Sandy Springs Education Force’s website to learn more about the organization, Footprints for the Future and its other events and programs.

Photo: 5K women’s overall first place winner Leah Kadetz. Credit: Sandy Springs Education Force