The 12th Annual Madison 5K Raises Nearly $39,000 for Educational Enrichment Grants for Madison District Schools

Sunshine and warm temperatures welcomed runners to the starting line of the 12th annual Madison 5K Run/Walk on Sunday, May 3rd, 2015. At 10am sharp, all runners - including parents, students, seniors and babies in strollers - completed the 3.1 mile course, winding a double loop that began and ended at Madison High School, 170 Ridgedale Avenue, Madison, NJ. At 11am, the Kids’ Fun Runs kicked off on the Madison High School (MHS) track as children mingled until called to line up by age group for the 100 yard dash, ¼ mile and one-mile runs. In the background, the band played, adding a fun vibe to the family atmosphere.

“It was a warm and beautiful day for a run and we had a fabulous turn out on Sunday,” said 5K Race Co-Chair and MEF Trustee Karen Tom. “We issued 661 5K race bibs and 134 Kids Fun Run bibs for the day’s events.” MEF reports that race registration, as well as sponsor support, was up from last year making this the most profitable Madison 5K in history. All proceeds from the event will support MEF’s educational enrichment grants at all five of Madison’s public schools.

Many parents completed the 5K and walked down to join their families for the subsequent Fun Runs. Children 10 and under gathered on the MHS football field and waited for their chance to run on the high school track. Families at the Fun Runs enjoyed live music, juggling and refreshments as their young runners cooled off and collected their ribbons.

Complete race results can be found at: http://www.compuscore.com/cs2015/may/madison.htm

Sponsors

“In recent years, MEF’s 5K has become an increasingly popular community event. Increased runner registration means that 100% of sponsor dollars directly fund the educational enrichment grants that we award three times a year,” says MEF President Mary Schaenen. “We are so grateful to this year’s 52 sponsors – both returning and new companies - who contributed nearly $34,000.”

Lead sponsors provide vital funding that makes the Madison 5K a success and include:

ConnectOne Bank; Aon; Pfizer; Brinker Capital, Inc.; Linde, Hansen & Co., LLC; The Printer’s Place; Kriegman & Smith; Quest Diagnostics; Starting Line Sports; Acrow Bridge; FLAG Group at Morgan Stanley; The Hampshire Companies; Lanca Sales; Mariner Wealth Advisors; Pipe Works Services; Total Health Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Center; Behind the Wheel with Carmen; Investors Bank; Madison Animal Hospital; The Princeton Review; Professional Physical Therapy & Training; Prudential; Smythe Volvo, Inc. and VisionFirst.

An additional 28 sponsors contributed at the $250 level and may be found on the Foundation’s website, www.mefnj.org

Save the Date

MEF’s next event is the annual Adult Gala, which is scheduled for Friday, November 13, 2015 at The Madison Hotel. Invitations will be mailed in September.

Madison Education Foundation

The Madison Education Foundation (MEF) awards grants to K-12 teachers for initiatives that energize the creative and academic lives of students but are above and beyond the school budget. Since its inception in 2003, MEF has awarded more than $920,000 in grants. MEF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Donations can be mailed to PO Box 1093 Madison NJ 07940 or submitted online. Visit www.mefnj.org or e-mail info@mefnj.org for more information.

PHOTO CAPTION:

Seen here, far right is the 2015 Madison 5K 1st place finisher, Madison High School Junior Noah Buzinkai. He is joined by Madison High School Senior Neil Grant on the left and Dr. Mark Ladolcetta a teacher and coach at the high school.