The annual Wellington Community Fitness 5K Run & Walk is set for Saturday, Nov. 3, starting at the Wellington Amphitheater at 7:30 a.m.
The event brings residents together to promote health and fitness, while supporting charitable causes. The run has grown continuously through the years and had about 400 participants last year.
“This is going to be the 15th year,” said Mariela Castillo of the Palms West Community Foundation.
The run is sanctioned by USA Track and Field, national governing body for the sports of track and field, cross-country running, road running and race walking, so entries will be recorded for national standings, timed by Accuchip.
In addition to the overall winners, results are broken down into five-year age divisions for women and men from 10-and-under to 70-and-over. The course is a bit different than in previous years, Castillo said.
“The course starts at the amphitheater and goes down Chancellor Blvd.,” she said. “From Chancellor it’s going to head down South Shore Blvd., and then at the mile-and-a-half mark, you’re going to turn around and come back.”
South Shore Blvd. southbound will be closed, and both lanes of traffic will be rerouted onto the northbound lanes, Castillo said.
The competitive runners will start at 7:30 a.m. after a 7 a.m. warm-up.
“The competitive runners are going to be the first ones to go, but then we’ll have our walkers go right after them,” she said.
The race will benefit the Palms West Community Foundation, the fundraising arm of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce, which raises money for scholarships and for the chamber’s building on Southern Blvd. Last year, the foundation awarded $1,000 scholarships to 10 graduating seniors from area high schools.
Hospice of Palm Beach County is also a beneficiary. The nonprofit’s foundation will get a portion of the net proceeds. Meanwhile, Dr. Faustino Gonzalez, vice president of medical affairs for Hospice, is the honorary chairman.
Royal Palm Toyota is the presenting sponsor. Ultima Fitness and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office will be running warm-ups before the race. The PBSO training division will also be doing demonstrations. An awards ceremony will take place following the race.
The pre-registration fee is $10 for children 17 or younger and $25 for adults. On the day of the race, the fee is $15 for children and $30 for adults.
To get the pre-event registration rate, visit www.active.com or pick up a registration form at the chamber’s office (13901 Southern Blvd., Loxahatchee Groves), Ultima Fitness (12799 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington) or Fit2Run in the Mall at Wellington Green. If you don’t register in advance, just show up. According to Castillo, a large number of participants are expected to register the morning of the run, starting at 6 a.m.
For more information, visit www.communityfitnessrun.com call the chamber at (561) 790-6200.
