Backpacks For Fellow Students to Hold 3rd Annual 5K to benefit Hundreds of Elementary School Students at East End Schools

Backpacks For Fellow Students (BFFS) will host their 3rd Annual Race for a Reason 5K on Sunday September 18, 2016 at the Westhampton Beach Village Green, (Main Street & Mill Road) at 9:00 a.m. A fun walk/run open to all ages will follow at 9:15 a.m. Strollers are welcome. The new route runs through scenic Westhampton Beach, along Dune Road and across 2 Bridges. The race is professionally timed and is flat, fast with a few rolling hills. The event will be a fun, family event that includes music, medals, prizes, raffles and food.

Margaritaville, a global brand inspired by the lyrics and lifestyle of singer, songwriter and author, Jimmy Buffett, has signed on for the second year to be the race’s Title Sponsor. “One of our core values at Margaritaville is to foster a shared responsibility for the well-being of our staff, guests, and community, so when we heard about Backpacks For Fellow Students we just had to be part of it,” said Tamara Baldanza, Chief Marketing Officer for Margaritaville. “We can’t wait to bring the Margaritaville state of mind to this year’s Race For A Reason and we’re honored to be involved in this fun, worthwhile event for this amazing cause. It is a pleasure to partner with Ariana and we are so proud of what she is doing in her community. Fins Up!”

This timed 5K includes medals for all registered runners, custom awards for the winners in each age group. All pre-registered participants will receive a race t-shirt and backpack. Michael Variale of East End Entertainment will entertain the crowd and transport runners to paradise with music inspired by Margaritaville.

Along with Margaritaville, the event is made possible thanks to our Premier Sponsors, Tebbens Steel, The Hills Seasonal Resort and Westhampton True Value. Gold Sponsors include; Bach Grazina East End Orthodontics, Beach Auto Sports, Bridgehampton National Bank, The Boardy Barn, Cook Maran & Associates, Douglas Elliman Real Estate, Ken Frankman- Morgan Stanley, Riverhead Rotary, TD Bank, Time Capital, Vanilla Beach, Winthrop Medical Affiliates (Riverhead Internal Medicine), Special thanks to the local community businesses for their support, including East End Entertainment, Hampton Coffee Company, Panera Bread, Affordable Tents Inc., and East End Sanitation.

Advanced registration is available at http://RaceforaReason5K.itsyourrace.com. Advanced registration (prior to August 31st) is $25. Day of race and after August 31st is $30. Elementary school children 11 and under participating in the non-timed walk/run may participate as our guest.

Check-In

7:30-8:30 AM Registration and

8:30-8:45 AM Warm-Up

9:00 AM 5K Race (Walkers and non-timed event immediately following)

Backpacks For Fellow Students, a 501(c)(3) was created by Westhampton Beach 11th grader Ariana DeMattei and provides East End elementary school students in need a brand new backpack filled with all their required school supplies to start off the school year. The goal is to create a level playing field amongst students and maximize a child’s opportunity for educational success. Since its inception in 2012, BFFS has made available more than 1000 backpacks to community students. The ultimate goal is to create lifelong learners and ultimately contributing members of the community.