Second Special Surgery race set for Saturday
After a somewhat chilly first year, the Capital Region Special Surgery Race for Hope is gearing up for an earlier date and, organizers hope, an even more successful 5K run or walk event.
The Race for Hope 2 is scheduled to step off at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 18, from the Special Surgery offices in Slingerlands, in the second of what organizers hope will be a community tradition for years to come.
From our standpoint, because there are so many great events, you really want to get a strong foundation established in the first few years, said race director SarahNicole Mahoney. `It’s only going to give us a better chance for success the next year.`
That foundation will be much broader in 2010, as the number of beneficiaries is being doubled. The race will still benefit a patient fund at the St. Peter’s Hospital Cancer Care Center for uninsured and underinsured patients, but organizers added another beneficiary in the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region.
Capital Region Special Surgery looked at several area causes but eventually chose the Ronald McDonald House, which among other things provides a `home away from home` for the families of seriously ill children at Albany Medical Center.
`They made it impossible for us not to choose them,` Mahoney said. `They had always wanted to do something like this but were always too busy, so it was just a natural fit.`
Last year’s race met a fundraising goal of $50,000, and organizers are not only doubling the charities, but increasing the fundraising target to $100,000. So far the effort is going well, with nearly 400 runners registered for the race already, about the total number that took part last year.
That number is sure to be bolstered by the community groups that are a part of the event.
There’s been an even more concerted effort to harness local teams, including area schools. A big new initiative is The Educators’ Challenge, which will give schools an opportunity to win a SmartBoard donated by Audio-Video Corporation of Menands.
The school whose participants raise the most money will take home the high-tech teaching tool. It’s a good way to get students more directly involved in fundraising, said Mahoney.
`It kind of gives an empowering sense to students, not just in that they’re raising money for a good cause … but they might be able to raise something really cool for their school as well,` she said.
Acting as ambassador for The Educators’ Challenge is Bethlehem Central Superintendent Michael Tebbano.
`We are proud to welcome the participants in the Race for Hope 2 to our community,` Tebbano said in a statement. `We believe the Educators’ Challenge will allow the entire educational community of the Capital Region to come together to show their support for two wonderful organizations.`
The academic component of the race doesn’t end there. School Administrators’ Association of New York State Executive Director Kevin Casey will be participating as a runner, and the organization is encouraging other members to get involved. Also, UAlbany will be sending participants from its athletic teams. Vice President Athletic Director Lee McElroy is serving as the race starter.
Participants can register for $25 up until noon on Sept. 16, when online registration closes. Day of race registration is $30, and starts at 6 a.m. Packet pickup begins at 7 a.m. the day of the race. Free parking will be available across the street from the Special Surgery offices at 1220 New Scotland Road, where the race will step off at 10 a.m.
After the race, there will be food, entertainment and other events in the Special Surgery parking lot.
For more information or to register, see wwwcapitalregionspecialsurgery.com/raceforhopealbany.“
