Registration Open for Strivers Mother's Day 5K Road Race

Strivers Running Club for Girls is proud to host the 2nd Annual Mother’s Day 5K Road Race on Sunday, May 10, 2015. Following the success of last year’s inaugural race, the 2015 running event promises to be bigger and better than ever! Registration is now open for the race that will start at 8:30 am at Natick High School.

“In 2014 over 650 people registered to run the race and this year we hope to reach 850 to 1000 runners,” said Colleen Phelps, Strivers Founder and Coach. “We were thrilled last year to see so many women run with their daughters, sons and husbands. This is a terrific family event and a wonderful way to celebrate the Moms in our lives. Start the day with a healthy run and have plenty of time for Mother’s Day celebrations. You’ll be doing something terrific for yourself and also for the community.”

Net proceeds from the race will benefit the Natick non-profit Embrace A Family, a program of the Rotary club of Natick helping those in Natick with cancer. Founded by the family and friends of two Natick moms who passed away from cancer in 2005, Embrace A Family provides direct access to a community and support network to help with the financial and emotional strain on families during treatment and recovery phases of cancer. “The Strivers Mother’s Day race is a wonderful opportunity to bring the community together to raise money for our cause,” said Judy Shea, Natick Rotary Club President and Embrace A Family co-founder. “The donation Colleen Phelps and Strivers make to Embrace a Family goes directly back into the community to assist with rides to treatment, food, bill relief and so much more that will help make it easier for someone going through cancer treatment. We are so pleased to be a part of this wonderful event.”

A civic-minded organization, Strivers Running Club for Girls has a history of working closely with the community. While building a solid foundation for a healthy, lifetime habit of running, Strivers also works with local non-profits to help raise money and awareness for numerous causes. “Each year we have a theme and this season is Strivers Reach,” said Phelps. “We will be reaching out to organizations by helping with such projects as collecting backpacks for underserved youth, organizing healthy snack bags for the Natick Service Council and collecting trash around Natick in support of ‘Green-Up Natick.’ It’s important to us to help foster leadership both on the track and in the community.” As a result of their invaluable contributions to Natick, Strivers recently received the Community Business Shining Light Award from the Natick Education Foundation for their strong dedication and commitment to the community.

According to Phelps, last year’s race featured a large contingency of runners under the age of 16- a trend she hopes will continue this year. “I was thrilled to see so many young people at the starting line. We encourage people of all ages to join us and we hope that more dads, brothers, and uncles will run too. This is a race for everyone who wants to have fun and make a difference on a very special day.”

The 3.1 mile run begins at 8:30 am on Sunday, May 10, 2015 at Natick High School, 15 West Street, Natick, MA. A post race party with refreshments will occur on the Natick High School campus. The entry fee before May 4, 2015 is $25 for adults and $15 for students 13 years or younger. The first 600 runners will receive a special gift courtesy of New Balance, including a bag, water bottle and fitness journal. Register by April 17, 2015 and receive a free T-shirt.

Sponsors of the race include True Runner, Get in Shape for Women, Spaulding Outpatient Center, Middlesex Savings Bank, CareWell Urgent Care, Fair Yeager Insurance Agency, Mortgage Network, Hip Chip and Bill Pizzeria. To register and for more information, visit www.striversmd5k.com.

About STRIVERS Running Club for Girls

Founded by runner Colleen Phelps, STRIVERS works with middle school girls to help build self-esteem, self-confidence, and awareness of a healthy lifestyle- all through a central theme of running. STRIVERS incorporates such activities as diet and nutrition seminars, cross training, book clubs and community service into a well-rounded program to help young girls reach their personal goals with strength, determination and enthusiasm. STRIVERS also attracts renowned motivational speakers, including Joan Benoit Samuelson, Uta Pippig, Travis Roy, and Doug Flutie. The presentations are designed to help the girls become the best that they can be as they mature into young women. To date over 300 girls have participated in STRIVERS and 100% of these young runners have successfully completed a 5k road race that marks the end of each session. As part of their community service efforts, STRIVERS has raised over $50,000 for local charities and has donated countless hours to local non-profit organizations. www.striversrunningclub.com