Registration underway for the Open Arms 5th Annual Spirit Sprint set for June 2

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Registration is underway for the Sixth Annual Spirit Sprint 5K Run/Walk set for Saturday, June 2 at the Worthington Town Park.

The theme for this year’s event is “Run for a Life”.

"Runners and walkers will be provided with the name of a group home resident or a foster child," explained Open Arms Volunteer Coordinator Nick Schneider. "This will enable the participants to actually run for the life of the paired individual."

Each participant, when they register, will receive a biographical summary of one of the youths served by Open Arms Family and Educational Services as a personal reminder of how the money they have donated to run or walk will be used, Schneider added.

Proceeds from this year’s event are earmarked to benefit foster children and families served by Open Arms Family and Educational Services, Inc. They will be treated to a Christmas party and given presents. Funds raised will also pay for specialized training for foster parents.

“The committee working on the race felt like this would be a very worthwhile way to show our appreciation for the valuable service that foster care provides to our community. In addition, the children served by our foster care and adoption services deserve to have a very nice Christmas this year,” Schneider said.

Early race entry fee is $15 per person with a $20 per person registration fee on the day of the race. Medals will be awarded to best overall racer, as well as the first and second place finishers in each age category for male and females. Cost of the Fun Run is $10 per person. A $10 fee for an optional t-shirt purchase will apply to both races.

Registration begins at 7 a.m. with the Fun Run at 8 a.m., followed by the 5K Run/Walk Race at 8:30 a.m.

Run/walk categories will be ages 14 and under; age 15-19; age 20-29; age 30-39; age 40-49; age 50-59; age 60-69; and age 70 and over. Fun runs will be conducted in the following age groups: age 4 and under (one-quarter mile), ages 4-6 (one-half mile); and ages 7-11 (1-mile).

A special church group, organization or team competition winner will be named for the group with the largest number of registered participants. Greene County Chiropractic of Worthington is the defending Holy Grail Trophy winner for the past two years.

Open Arms Family and Education Services operates the Miriam Group Home, administers foster care/adoption services and offers students at the Turning Point Education Center (TPEC) high school equivalency classes and testing as well as high school credit recovery classes.

Early registration can be completed at Open Arms’ website at www.openarmschristian.com under the ‘Events’ tab.

Area businesses and individuals wanting to help sponsor the event can find information on the Open Arms web page or they can call Schneider at 812-659-2533 or 812-381-3900. Schneider can be contacted by email at nick@openarmschristian.com