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Date: 11/6/2023
EASTHAMPTON — The ninth annual Give ‘Em the Bird 5k run/walk will take place on Thanksgiving morning, with proceeds benefiting the Easthampton Community Center.
The event features a 5K race, which has sold out, a 2K walk and a virtual run/walk. The registration fee for the 2K walk is $25 and the registration fee for the virtual run is $30. As of press time, the 2K walk had just a few slots open. Overall, the event only had space for 700 participants.
The 2022 race raised $30,000 and organizers are hopeful to reach, or exceed, that mark this year. The money raised goes to providing a warm meal for Thanksgiving and Christmas to local families through the work of the Easthampton Community Center.
The 5K course begins and ends at Millside Park, located at 2 Ferry St. in Easthampton. It follows a route that is both flat at times and rolling at times, past the fields and mills of the city. About half of the course is on the rail trail, which is closed to traffic, and half is on more rural roads, which will be open to traffic.
The 2K route, new this year, also starts and finishes at Millside Park. Walkers will head south on the bike path towards Union Street but will turn around before reaching it.
Both courses will be well-marked and staffed with volunteers to assist the runners and walkers. The 5K course has an aid station near mile two.
The morning will begin with bib pick-up starting at 7:15 a.m. Line-up and the pre-race ceremony will start at 8:15 a.m., with the race and walk starting at 8:30 a.m. Organizers expect to begin the awards ceremony around 9:15 a.m.
More information can be found on the event’s social media pages. Registration is on www.runsignup.com.