Western Greenway 5K Run/Walk Oct. 5

The Waltham Land Trust (WLT) invites families and individuals to celebrate the fall season with a trek through deep woods, open meadows and cattail marshes as part of their Western Greenway 5K Run/Walk Race for Open Space fundraiser. Starting at noon, the WG 5K Run/Walk is the perfect way to show support for saving land while enjoying the Western Greenway Trail, a path through North Waltham, Belmont and Lexington the Land Trust has been building for years with the help of countless volunteers. The 3.1 miles WG 5K route starts and finishes at Elsie Turner Field on Trapelo Road, circling through beautiful Beaver Brook North Reservation and lovely Rock Meadow.

The fee to walk or run the course is $25, $15 for kids ages 17-7, free under 7. Timed winners in various age categories will be given their choice of prizes. The Land Trust will also reward participating walkers and families with gift cards they are collecting from various community businesses, to be given away to random bib numbers when the race is over.

Ultimately, everyone’s a winner, because Bertucci’s is donating their delicious pizzas (Sporkie, anyone?) for post race festivities, proving once again they are a solid community partner and appreciate the great work of the Waltham Land Trust. The official after-race party will be held at Playmakers Sports Bar and Grill at 342 Moody Street. Playmakers is also hosting the bib pick-up event on Saturday afternoon, October 4th.

Don’t feel like taking to the course? Consider registering anyway to help the WLT reach their fundraising goal, and let them know you want to volunteer. Folks are needed to assist with staging area set up and break down, as well as other odd jobs.

The best part of the WG 5K, whether one is participating on the course or volunteering at Elsie Turner Field, will be the spectacular outdoor venue. Gorgeous autumn foliage will be all surrounding, serving as a reminder why it’s so important to support groups like the Waltham Land Trust, creating legacy of land conservation.

To find out more about the race and to register, visit http://rawseries.weebly.com/western-greenway-5k.html. To sign up to volunteer, email Sonja at swdman@walthamlandtrust.org or call the WLT office at 781-893-3355.