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Date: 5/24/2023
WILBRAHAM — In the early 2010s, Bobby Olsen ran road races for fun. The problem, he said, was that many races had expensive registration fees. So, he decided to do something about it and help a local nonprofit at the same time.
Olsen reached out to the Minnechaug Land Trust and agreed to organize a fundraising race to benefit the Rice Nature Preserve, with the stipulation that the fee be manageable. Until recently, adult registration was $15 and is now $20 if registered in advance. Race day registration is $25 and the registration fee for minors is $15.
For the registration fee, participants can run in the race and receive ice cream at Rice’s Fruit Farm. Free T-shirts are guaranteed to the first 150 runners who registered by May 20. There will also be awards for the first place overall male and female runners, as well as for age 50 and up, and age 14 and under.
This year marks the 11 annual Run for Rice’s 5K. All proceeds go to the Minnechaug Land Trust’s Rice Nature Preserve Stewardship Committee for maintenance of the preserve. Olsen said there are fields in the preserve and the state mandates they must be mowed. While the labor is done in exchange for the resulting hay, there are incidental costs for which the trust is responsible. Additionally, the fundraising has helped with poison ivy eradication, bridging over wet areas and the installation of granite benches. A balance in the account is maintained for emergencies.
“We usually get 160-200 runners,” Olsen said. “It’s a good community event. We get a lot of families.” Olsen said that when the race began in 2012, most participants were from Wilbraham. Since then, the race has grown and now, about half of participants are from other areas, including Franklin County and Connecticut.
On average the run raises about $3,000 per year and is the largest fundraiser for the Minnechaug Land Trust.
The Run for Rice’s is on a flat course that begins and ends at Christ the King–Epiphany Church, 758 Main St. The course can be run or walked, but no bicycles or dogs are allowed on the course. The race steps off at 9 a.m.
For those who cannot participate on race day, there is a donation option on the race website. To register, visit minnechauglandtrust.org/run-for-rices-5k.