5K run / 1.5 mile walk set for Saturday, August 27
MPS is inviting all runners and walkers to sign up for the 9th annual Run Back to School, a 5K fun run and 1.5 mile walk through Washington Park on Saturday, August 27 at 9:00 a.m. The goal is to promote the importance of regular exercise while raising funds for MPS youth recreation programs. In addition to the run/walk, the event will feature a school mascot race, exhibit booths, activities for kids, and a live DJ. Media representatives are encouraged to attend.
The MPS Run Back to School will begin and end at Wick Playfield, 4929 W. Vliet Street. Event-day registration and packet pickup will be held from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. The 5K fun run and 1.5 mile walk will start at 9:00 a.m. The fee, which includes a commemorative event t-shirt, race bag, and post-run refreshments, is $10 per adult and $5 per child. The adult fee will increase to $15 after August 15. Those who pre-register will be guaranteed a t-shirt, but additional shirts may still be available for walk-up participants. Free parking is available at MPS Central Services, 5225 W. Vliet Street. First, second, and third place awards will be given to the top male/female adult and youth finishers for the 5K run. Every child will receive a participation medal.
Proceeds from the past eight years have been used to purchase youth sport equipment and offset team entry fees so schools could expand youth recreation programs. Most recently, the funds were used to purchase uniforms, soccer goals, yoga mats, physical education equipment, and more. Funds were also used to start a Special Olympics Cheerleading program.
“The Run Back to School is a great opportunity for students, staff and the community to come together in support of the health and well-being of our young people… and ourselves,” says Lynn A. Greb, Milwaukee Recreation’s senior director. “We encourage the public to team up, get moving and have some fun to help promote healthy habits that can last a lifetime.”
In addition to coordinating the Run Back to School, MPS offers a variety of physical fitness programs, holistic employee wellness programming free of cost to staff, and actively participates in the Well City Milwaukee Initiative.
The 2016 Run Back to School is made possible with generous support from United Healthcare; Voya Financial; Goodwill Industries; Gruber Law Offices; OptumRx; Willis Towers Watson; Dental Associates; Trustmark; NVA; YMCA; Aurora Health Care; Educators Credit Union; Gabriel, Roeder, Smith & Company; Milliman; Milwaukee County Parks; Patient Care and Arena Americas.
Milwaukee Recreation is a department of Milwaukee Public Schools, established in 1911 to provide the entire community with affordable and enriching recreational activities. For more information, visit MilwaukeeRecreation.net or contact Brian Hoffer (Brian@MilwaukeeRecreation.net) at (414) 475-8938.
