Festivus 5K for Autism in Salem Raises $15,000 for Northshore Education Consortium

More than 400 runners, and a few walkers (dogs included), braved the cold to run the fifth annual Festivus 5K for Autism through Salem on Sunday, December 11th, raising $15,000 for the Northshore Education Consortium. The race was hosted by Finz Seafood and Grill.

The Northshore Education Consortium, headquartered in Beverly, is the largest provider of special education programs for students with emotional, behavioral and developmental needs on the North Shore. Twenty local school districts, including Salem, are members of the Consortium.

Race proceeds will be used to purchase classroom technology for students with autism who attend the Northshore Academy upper school in Beverly and lower school in West Peabody.

“It was wonderful to see children, parents, friends, teachers and community members running together to support our students. Thanks to the many runners, sponsors, and volunteers who made this great day possible. The technology that we purchase will be life-changing for our students,” said Fran Rosenberg, Executive Director of the Northshore Education Consortium.

Since 2012, the five Festivus races have raised a total of $60,000 to help children with autism. This year’s race had 402 finishers. The overall male winner was Colton Gale of Beverly with a time of 16:00 minutes and the overall female winner was Kathryn Cooper of Marblehead with a time of 17:53.

Runners, volunteers and sponsors celebrated after the race with a Festivus-themed party at Finz. Race organizers gave awards for winning runners, best costumes and top Festivus grievances (the top grievance was “2016”).

Many local businesses sponsored the road race, including the Title Sponsor: Finz Seafood & Grill; Road Race Sponsors: Beverly Athletic Club, Dribbble, Kiewit Companies Foundation; Community Sponsors: Salem Five Bank, Northshore Eye Care, The Triumph Center, Peabody Avis, jh turiel & associates, Salem Peabody Oral Surgery, Front Street Coffeehouse, Krav Maga: Ne'emanei Imi, Salem, MA, The Fearless Foundation, Dr. Terence Criswell, FirstLight Home Care of Salem, Marblehead Firefighters Union, Sheehan Marine Services of Marblehead, Northshore Education Consortium Teachers' Union, Creative Salem, Vandelay Industries; and Family Sponsors: Hallie's Team; Trevor's Team, Connor's Angels, Mac's Buddies, Andrew & Trista Christensen.

For more information about the race or to make a donation, visit www.festivus5k.com.

PHOTOS BY JOHN ANDREWS, Creative Salem

More than 30 members of the staff of the Northshore Education Consortium participated in the Festivus 5K Race for Autism in Salem on Sunday, December 11th. The race raised $15,000 for classroom technology for students with autism at the Consortium.

Salem residents John Young and his son Owen were among the families that good-naturedly raced against one another. This was Owen’s longest race ever and he beat his marathoner father by more than four minutes!

Salem State Rep. Paul Tucker (right) raced against and beat his daughter Shannon (second from left), although she came in third in her age group. Joining them are Ann Tucker and George Carey of Finz (left).