Charity Race and Kentucky Derby Party to Benefit Work at Ironstone Farm

You don’t have to be in Kentucky to enjoy a great race and party on the day of the Kentucky Derby. But you do need to sign up.
The Ironstone Derby is an afternoon 5-kilometer race followed by a Kentucky Derby party and barbecue – all on the day of the Kentucky Derby, Saturday, May 2. The race/walk and party all benefit the nonprofit work at Ironstone Farm in Andover.

Register at http://lightboxreg.com/ironstone

Sleep in, and then come to the 4 p.m. race and after-party at LeLacheur Park in Lowell, Mass., the home of the Lowell Spinners, a Red Sox minor league affiliate. Enjoy the Kentucky Derby party and barbecue with steak tips, ribs, chicken, hot dogs and more! Concessions also will be open. Eat, play games, pick a favorite horse and watch the Kentucky Derby live on the Jumbotron after the race!
Race day is Saturday, May 2, and the race motto is “Run for the Roses - Stay for the Party!”
The USATF-certified race is directed by DMSE, the same folks who direct the Boston Marathon. Runners complete the race by doing a half-lap around the warning track on the way to the finish line, with friends and family cheering in the stands.
There are free T-shirts for the first 500 registered. There are stick-horse races for children under 12. There are games and prizes for everyone, and the option for that post-race, all-you-can-eat barbecue.
Entry fees for the 5K are $35 for adults and $25 for youth 12 and younger, and $10 for the kids stick-horse run. The all-you-can-eat barbecue costs $25 for adults. Concessions included mint juleps.

Register at www.lightboxreg.com/ironstone. Team registration is encouraged (email neilfater@challengeunlimited.org to create a team). Prizes will be awarded for the largest team, the fastest team, the person who raises the most, and the team that is most creatively dressed in the spirit of the Ironstone Derby -- think derby hats! Individual prizes, including roses, will be awarded to top male and female finishers. The top 12-and-younger 5K runners will win free tickets to a Lowell Spinners game
The race benefits the nonprofit work of Challenge Unlimited Ironstone Farm, which serves children with special needs, combat veterans, people diagnosed with cancer, adults with special needs, teens at risk, elders with memory issues and others. Learn more at www.ironstonefarm.org.

SPONSORS

Sponsors include DMSE, Lowell Spinners, NetScout, 99 Restaurants, Orange Leaf, TeamLogic IT, WCAP, Andover Knights of Columbus, Lowell Five, Doherty Insurance, Griffin Greenhouse Supplies Inc. and Black Tie Limo.
The stick-horse derby for kids is sponsored by Enterprise Bank.