By Anna Skinner
On the sunny, chilly morning hundreds of people attended the 3k walk, 5k run and health fair held by the Westfield Education Foundation as part of its 17th annual Underground Railroad Run.
The Foundation used the sponsors and funds from the run to raise approximately $20,000 for WHS graduates and teacher grants that will help enrich the classrooms to aid all students. The awards were sponsored by BlueMile, a runner’s and walker’s retail business. They provided award certificates to the racers – $100 for first place overall, and $15 to first in each adult age group. Medals were awarded to first-, second- and third-place finishers for the youth age groups.
Clay Strycker placed first overall in men’s, followed respectively by Tim Mylin and Reuben Njau. Lynn Marsh placed first in women’s, with Sarah Coates in second and Gina Naas third. The path started at the high school and traveled through downtown Westfield and Asa Bales Park.
The highest student registration came from Oak Trace Elementary, earning them a $500 grant to help enhance physical education classes and the ownership of the big traveling trophy for the year.
The Health Fair was hosted by the Westfield Washington Schools nurses. The fair provided 21 booths with health and safety information. The foundation hopes to raise $25,000 at the 18th annual Underground Railroad Run on March 16, 2016.
“Many thanks to all participants, volunteers, and sponsors for making this event such a success,” said Jan Skinner, education foundation executive director.
