Racers at the New Year’s 5k can expect to pass Mt. Abram’s Westside lodge as part of the 5k’s course. Chaia Alford/The Bethel Citizen

GREENWOOD — As the new year approaches, the Friends of Mt. Abram nonprofit is arranging its first New Year’s 5k. The race will start and end at the main lodge, going out past Westside lodge. The race is along the road, despite being called the Mt. Abram 5k. “People might assume that they have to run up Mt. Abram in the snow, but that’s not the case,” said Timothy Bath, member of the Friends of Mt. Abram nonprofit and one of the event’s organizers.
The program is to help raise money for the Local Student Access program. .
“We want to give back to the community, and give more people the chance to ski who may not be able to,” said Bath. In order to bring in funds for the program, the race will have an entrance fee. All proceeds will go towards the program. Bath called it, “another fundraising opportunity to get more kids out there.” The race will have prizes, the nature of which have not been determined at this time. Categories will be decided based on attendance in the race. “Since it’s the first time, you don’t really know what to expect for the turnout,” said Bath.
The Friends of Mt. Abram nonprofit do several other events during the course of the year, including an auction and golf at the Bethel Inn. However, they have decided to address a lack of scheduled events during the winter season. They hope to continue to expand on this event as it develops.
Bath says they plan to grow and improve the event over time, depending on its performance this year. They will have official timers for the race in order to score properly and determine winners.

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