3rd Annual Scholarship Fun Run A Success

Starting bright and early at 8 a.m., over 80 Colton community members, students, parents, and active runners gathered at Cooley Ranch Elementary School to start the 3.1 mile-long journey of this year's 3rd Annual Scholarship 5K Fun Run, hosted recently by the Kiwanis Club of Cooley Ranch. The registration for adults was only $25, while students and challenged athletes were only $10. All the participants who pre-registered received a 2015 Fun Run Event T-shirt and commemorative medal. All proceeds, like every year, from the Fun Run event directly benefited students graduating from Colton, Grand Terrace and Bloomington high schools in the form of scholarships. Although there were about 50 more participants the year before, according to event coordinator Debora Budde, the non-profit club still managed to fundraise over $1,000 for each school. Budde explained that all the money raised is donated to each of the three schools, and it is then up to school administration to decide how the funds are dispersed and to whom they are distributed. “Sometimes they split it up and give it more than one student,” Budde said. Despite a slightly lower attendance count this year, Budde shared she's still counting the event as a success. “Even though we had more participants last year (2nd annual), we still had more than the first year. It was a great turn out,” Budde shared, explaining that she believes the decrease in attendance was due to one of the high school’s cross country or track team participating in another competition that day. The route, estimated at about 3.1 miles, started at the front of Cooley Ranch Elementary School, located at 1000 South Cooley Street in Colton, and the finish line was right back where everyone started. The pathway was kid-friendly; the route went smoothly along pine and palms trees of Cooley Drive that hopefully provided everyone with temporary shades and cool breezes. There were people running, walking, rolling, and even parents with their strollers. The path was designed this smoothly intentionally for those in wheelchairs, those who wanted to push a stroller, and those who wanted to roller-skate, as well. “It was a perfect day for the run,” Budde said. [END] Date: 3/15/2015 - Sunday Time: 8:00 a.m. Google Map Event Location: Cooley Ranch Elementary School Address: 1000 S Cooley Dr. East Colton CA 92324 Description: 5K Fun Run. All proceeds benefit graduating seniors from Colton, Grand Terrace and Bloomington high schools. Here's a press release on this sent the week prior to the walk: Are you looking for a healthy, kid friendly activity that the whole family can enjoy this weekend? You still have time to register for the Kiwanis Club of Cooley Ranch's 3rd Annual Scholarship Fun Run on Sunday, March 15, 2015 at 8 AM. This family friendly run is a 5k (3.1 miles) course that will start and end in front of Cooley Ranch Elementary School in Colton. The route tracks primarily along the palm and pine tree shaded Cooley Drive and is stroller and wheelchair accessible. Participants are allowed to walk, run or roll through the traffic controlled course. Registration is $25 for adults, $10 for students and $10 for challenged athletes. A special family registration is also available at $50.00 for 2 adults and 3 youth. Participants pre-registered by March 10 will also receive a 2015 Fun Run T-Shirt and commemorative Medal. Late registration is permitted on the day of the Fun Run, however, T-Shirt and medal are not guaranteed. Registration begins at 7 AM in front of Cooley Ranch Elementary School, 1000 South Cooley Dr. in Colton. Fun Run information and registration forms are available by calling 909-685-4054 or email fireblink@sbcglobal.net. Online registration is also available at: https://runsignup.com/Race/CA/Colton/Scholarship5kFunRunWalkRoll All Fun Run proceeds will be donated this year to students graduating from Colton, Grand Terrace and Bloomington High Schools. The Kiwanis Club of Cooley Ranch is a non-profit, 100% volunteer organization and membership is open to adults who are interested in serving the community. The club meets every Friday morning at 7AM in the Denny’s Garden Room at 160 W. Valley Blvd. in Colton. All walk-ins are welcome. Doug Blinkinsop President Kiwanis Club of Cooley Ranch P.O. Box 345 Colton, CA 92324 909-783-1635 fireblink@sbcglobal.net