FARMINGTON – Walkers are welcome to participate in the Friday night one mile and 5K road races this year.

With just a few walkers in past years, Strawberry Festival race organizer Kelley Cullenberg and Wilton Blueberry Festival race organizer, Steve Russell, are encouraging walkers this year to enter not just one, but three races, Cullenberg said.

This first Friday night run-walk event will be followed by the Blueberry Festival race on Aug. 3 and a new, third, local race, the Cougar Soccer Classic 5K and Kids one mile, that will take place on Aug. 10 at the Whistlestop Trail to raise funds for the high school soccer programs in SAD 9, according to a release from the Healthy Community Coalition.

A longtime traditional event for Moonlight Madness, this week’s race was switched to Saturday morning last year for the first Strawberry Festival, Cullenberg said.

But, for logistical reasons with vendors setting up on Broadway, the race has returned to Friday night with registrations beginning at 4:30 p.m. and the mile race at 5:30 followed by a 5K at 6:15 p.m., although walkers may start a littler earlier, she said.

The race raises funds for the Mt. Blue High School cross country team. Entrance fees and raffles generate the funds, she said.

Following the races, awards will be given out in the former State Theater building. Pies are given to the first- and second-place winners in each age group in the 5K, she said.

Other prizes include $75 gift certificates from New Balance to overall first male and female racers in the 5K and mile. Other prizes include trophies, medallions and T-shirts, she said.


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