Saturday, May 18, was Playworks’ 10th Annual Run for Recess 5K and one-mile Fun Run. It was a beautiful morning in Franklin Park. Over 400 Playworks students, families, and supporters gathered for a day of racing and recess.
This year, we welcomed race participants of all ages and levels of running experience. Playworks’ Run for Recess is a true community event that brings together families, young professionals, and community organizations from all over the city of Boston.
Participants began to arrive at 8:30 a.m. and jumped into a game of kickball led by Playworks Coaches.
The one-mile fun run kicked off at 10:00 a.m. and was led by Akeem Flowers, program manager at Playworks who was dressed as a pink unicorn.
At 10:30 a.m., the horn sounded for our 5K race around Franklin Park’s historic cross country course. Runners completed 3 laps around the course and were greeted at the finish line with cheering supporters and high fives.
For many participants, our Run for Recess was their first timed race. Prizes were distributed to 1-mile and 5k winners based on gender and age bracket.
We were joined at the Run for Recess by Fresh Truck and Traveling Juice who set up tables and provided their healthy and delicious products for race participants and families.
At the Run for Recess, students from different schools and different grades got in the game to play and race together. It was a great demonstration of the power of play to bring communities and young people together.
Thank you to our race day volunteers for your support! Thank you to our event sponsors John Hancock and the New Balance Foundation and to our race partners Stop & Shop, Trader Joe’s, and Health Management Resources for making this event possible.
Together, we raised $3,628 toward Playworks’ programming in New England communities. To see the results of the 5K, head to the Racewire website. For more highlights, check out the photo album on Facebook!
