Club Crawl Returns to West Newton

This weekend, over 100 people will run and walk through West Newton to help provide kids with scholarships to the .  

The third annual Club Crawl will take place on Sunday at 10 a.m., with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. for those who haven’t preregistered. 

“It’s something that we’re excited to do every fall,” says David Sellers, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club.  “It’s an excuse for people who enjoy running to get out and have a professionally timed race to compete, and also to raise money to help us do something for kids.”

Ward 1 Alderman Scott Lennon came up with the idea to start the race, says Sellers. “[Lennon] came here when he was a kid and was looking for a way to give back and help the kids," he says.

Professionally timed by Sark Race Productions, the 5K race is on a certified, flat course that runs through West Newton, says Sellers. 

The Club Crawl is open to runners and walkers of all ages.  Trophies will be awarded to the top male and female runners, and medals will be awarded to the top three males and females in each 10-year age group, from 10 to 70.

The first 150 registrants will also get t-shirts.

The race attracts both supporters of the club and avid runners who look for races on the Cool Running website, where the race is listed, says Sellers. 

“It’s an opportunity for people to score their best time and try to win,” he says.  “It’s a nice flat course and people can get an idea of what their fitness level is.” 

Participants are also welcome to walk the course, and in past years, families have walked together, he says.

The money raised by participants’ registration fees will provide scholarships for kids to be members of the Boys & Girls club, says Sellers. 

According to its website, the John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club is a non-profit organization that has been providing Newton’s youth with a place to get involved in athletics, arts, education and other programs for over 50 years. 

The club's mission statement says the club “inspires and enables young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens,” offering programs including sports, homework help, computer lab, cooking class and arts.

This year, the Club Crawl’s goal is to raise $5,000, to match what they have raised in past years, says Sellers. 

Every year, the club gives membership scholarships to 200 income-eligible children. Usually, memberships cost $125 per family, per year, he says.

The race will start at the Boys & Girls Club, 675 Watertown St., Newton. The cost of registration is $18 before November 11 and $20 on the day of the event.  Before November 11, preregister online.

After the race, participants will get together at the for appetizers, Sellers says.