SALISBURY — Whether folks want to set a blazing record on the trails or simply stroll with friends, runners of all abilities are invited to take part in the 15th annual Tortoise and the Hare Race coming up April 19.
“We really want it to be the race for everyone,” Parks and Recreation Administrator Jennifer Roketenetz said.
The Parks and Recreation Commission hosts the fundraising race each year at Lions Park, located at 8 Lions Way, with all proceeds supporting the commission’s community efforts.
There are three events – the 10K race, the 5K race and the milelong Color Run. The Color Run will begin at 9:30 a.m., while the 10K and 5K races each start at 10 a.m.
“The feedback that we’ve heard is that there are some families doing the 10K or the 5K, but they also wanted to do the Color Run with their children. So we staggered the events so that if you so choose, you could do both,” Roketenetz said.
Roketenetz said the 10K race is for those who are very serious about running while the 5K offers a shorter, yet competitive experience. Both races offer awards at the end.
“We have a 5K walk or run if you’re not quite ready to do a 10K, you can do a 5K, you can be competitive or you can stroll it. We have a whole team from the senior center coming,” Roketenetz said.
During the Color Run, station volunteers will be sprinkled throughout the course to douse runners and walkers with nontoxic color powders.
“There’s a lot of community engagement in it. So we reach out to the high school kids, their community service club, and so their kids love to sign up for that. People in the community love to sign up for that,” Roketenetz said.
Roketenetz said she loves seeing little kids finishing the race covered in various colors.
“It’s not timed, but I did buy ribbons this year for first, second and third. That’s something new this year,” Roketenetz said.
The event, according to Roketenetz, used to attract about 100 runners and has grown in recent years.
“Last year, we had over 450 runners,” Roketenetz said.
Selectman Michael Colburn described it as one of the best events the town hosts, and thanked fellow Selectman Ronalee Ray-Parrott for starting it over a decade ago.
“She has done an amazing job creating their atmosphere of runners wanting to come back to the community of Salisbury and participate in this,” Colburn said.
Folks can show up and sign up the day of the race.
“The sooner you sign up, you ensure that you’ll get a race T-shirt. But if you show up that day, the more the merrier,” Roketenetz said.
Each race has its own sponsor, with Anna Jaques Hospital sponsoring the Color Run, Coastal Trails sponsoring the 5K race, F45 Training sponsoring the 10K race, and Institution for Savings serving as the presenting sponsor of the event.
To sign up, visit: runsignup.com/Race/MA/Salisbury/TortoiseandtheHare. To volunteer, visit salisburyrecreation.com.
Ray-Parrott did return a call for comment in time for this report.
Matt Petry covers Amesbury and Salisbury for The Daily News of Newburyport. Email him at: mpetry@northofboston.com.