Community members are invited to take part in the Collier County Public Schools (CCPS) 5K Walk-Run on Saturday, December 10. Previously scheduled for October, this new date allowed additional time to continue recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Ian. This will mark the first time in three years that we have been able to bring all our schools together for the 5K. Participants of all ages will gather and connect during what should be a beautiful December morning.
The race will directly benefit health and wellness at our 50+ traditional neighborhood public schools that CCPS operates. Like in previous years, 100% of the proceeds will be earmarked for each school’s wellness initiatives for students and staff. “The State requires healthy school teams at each school, and the 5K is our main funding source for this initiative,” explained Lisa Morse, CCPS Director of Community Engagement and District Initiatives. “The money raised from this event enables teams to host health and wellness activities at their schools because we recognize the positive relationship between nutrition, physical activity, and the capacity of students to develop and learn.”
In 2019, there were over 2,100 participants with 100% of schools participating, making it the second largest 5K event in Collier County. This year, we want to bring 2,500 people together to run or walk to raise awareness for healthy living and to support our schools. All participants will receive a chipped (timed) bib; however, you can choose to take part in either the 5K run or a one-mile walk. The event’s main sponsor is Suncoast Credit Union, with Arthrex, Inc. and Wellness Energy Institute contributing as wellness sponsors and Florida Power & Light, IL Primo Pizza & Wings, Synergy Health, and Keiser University joining as run sponsors, among other businesses who are contributing. We are pleased to partner once again with Gulf Coast Runners in organizing and hosting the 5K.
Participants will start in front of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Administrative Center on Osceola Trail, the road running through the district-owned preserve area and beside the campuses of Barron Collier High School and Osceola Elementary School. The race ends on the main athletic field at Barron Collier High School where various race awards will be presented, including awards for the most-spirited school and the school with the most participants.
Registration is open to anyone in the community regardless of whether you have a student enrolled in CCPS. If you have any questions about this event, please email ccps5K@collierschools.com. Pre-registration is highly encouraged. Visit collierschools.com/CCPS5K. Let’s lace ‘em up and get moving!
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