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Date: 6/2/2022
WILBRAHAM – The tenth annual Run for Rice’s 5k will take place on June 4 at Christ the King Lutheran Church. Day-of registration will run from 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m and the event will officially begin at 9 a.m.
For the last two years, the race has been canceled due to COVID-19. Race Director Bobby Olsen said that restrictions were lifted in 2021 just a few weeks before the usual race date. They debated hosting it in the fall instead, but decided to just wait for 2022.
The registration fee is $20 for adults over 18 years of age and $15 for ages 18 and under. Day-of registration will cost $25. Registration includes entry to the race, a t-shirt for the first 250 registered runners and a free Rice Fruit Farm ice cream sundae.
The funds from the 5k go toward the Rice Nature Preserve, which is part of the Minnechaug Land Trust. The Minnechaug Land Trust oversees all of the conservation property in both Wilbraham and Hampden.
Olsen originally started the race in 2011 to take care of the costs of mowing the fields at the nature preserve.
“I started it as a fundraiser to pay for the mowing and whatever else might be needed,” he said.
Funds are now used for mowing, upkeep of the preserve, maintenance supplies, new benches that were put in at overlook points and emergencies.
Olsen said that he works to keep the race affordable for runners to enjoy. He added that it is one of the most affordable 5ks participants will find.
“I wanted to keep it runner-friendly before it was cause-friendly. Whatever we raise, we raise. We don’t have a fundraising goal – we have a few loyal sponsors, we have the runner registrations and whatever we raise, we raise. If we raise a lot one year, great. If we raise a third of that, great. As long as we’re not losing money,” said Olsen.
The race is a flat course and there will be a water aid station at the halfway point. Walkers are welcome, but for runner safety, there are no bicycles or dogs allowed on the course.
Awards will be given to the first-place male and female overall, and there will be more than 50 and youth categories as well. To receive a reward, the runner must be present after the race.
Olsen encouraged residents to come out to this fun, community event.
“I think it’s a good community event…We get a lot of families that come out. A lot of parents running with their kids because it’s very affordable,” he said.
And, he emphasized, the free ice cream doesn’t hurt either.
Those interested in signing up for the event or receiving more information can visit https://runsignup.com/Race/MA/Wilbraham/RunforRices5k.