2022 Step Up for Colleen 5K Set for May 1st in Andover

The 2022 Step Up for Colleen 5K, in memory of beloved teacher Colleen Ritzer, will be held on Sunday, May 1st in Andover’s Central Park. The opening ceremony will begin at 8:45 a.m. and the race starts at 9:00. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Colleen E. Ritzer Memorial Fund, which fosters a society of compassion with kindness as a motivating influence in all its endeavors. Renowned for her kindness, zeal for life, teaching, and love of family, the organization emulates Colleen’s compassion through scholarships, grants and other programs with kindness and education at their core.

Each year, the Step Up for Colleen draws walkers and runners of all ages to the USA Track & Field certified course. “They create a sea of pink, which was Colleen’s favorite color,” says race director Nina Caron. The first 3,000 registrants are guaranteed pink race shirts and the course will be lined with pink bows.

This year’s event emcees are Magic 106.7 radio personalities David O’Leary, Sue Tabb, and Kendra Petrone. The green will feature refreshments, a balloon artist, a magician, face-painting, a special appearance by Miss Massachusetts USA 2022 Skarlet Ramirez, Boston Bruins mascot Blades, and much more. Title sponsors of the event include McDonald’s and Eastern Bank. Online registration is available at colleenritzer.org.

Since its inception in 2014, over $370,000 in scholarships have been awarded to 82 future teachers and leaders, some of whom have already begun their teaching careers and are pursuing master’s degrees.

About Colleen Ritzer

Colleen Ritzer, a lifelong resident of Andover, passed away on October 22, 2013. She was a 2007 graduate of Andover High School and a 2011 graduate of Assumption College. Colleen was a math teacher at Danvers High School and was pursuing a graduate degree at Salem State College. She adored spending time with her family and friends, and was an amazing daughter and big sister to her brother and sister, Daniel and Laura. She made a lasting impression on everyone she met. From a young age, Colleen knew she wanted to be a teacher and worked diligently to achieve her goal. Even though teaching was her profession, it was also one of her favorite hobbies and her passion. She spent countless hours finding unique and creative ways to inspire and teach her students.