Fast Start to School Year for Westfield PTSA

On Saturday, Sept. 17, area runners will take their marks for at . This event has raised over $50,000 for scholarships for Westfield Seniors.

“Our community is so supportive and very accustomed to starting the year off with this event,“ said Becky Rice, Westfield High teacher and this year’s 5K Race chair, along with parents Connie Johnson and Don Royal.

“Right now, we want to get runners registered,” said Rice.

Through the years, 150-200 runners generally come to Westfield to race. While the field is mostly from the Centreville community (including a large number of faculty members), Rice encouraged everyone to come out to run. Rice herself runs and every year has challenged the Class of 2012 president in the race. She came close last year, didn’t beat him but did place first overall among women racers.

The scholarship money is important to Westfield High School, but there are other benefits too.

“Westfield is a really big school. We try to have opportunities for all our students as students who attend smaller schools, so we’d like to raise as much scholarship money as possible. Plus get everyone involved in a healthy, active event,” said Rice.

Runners can register online or by mailing in their forms or register on the day of the race.

Rice is grateful for the support of the business community that has sponsored the race this year. She said other businesses can get involved through sponsorship, volunteering or donations.

Non-runners can come out to volunteer or “just come out on the 17th to cheer the runners on,” said Rice.

For more information about the Westfield 5K for Scholarships, visit the Westfield PTSA website.