8th Annual Hurd Race Takes Place Halloween Weekend

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Photo by Lauren Ciambruschini/Harford Community College
Photo by Lauren Ciambruschini/Harford Community College

 

5K, trick or treat children’s area highlight family event

 

The 8th Annual Heather L. Hurd 5K Run & Kids Trick or Treat Walk, presented by the Kent Schwab Allstate Agency, will kick off Halloween weekend on Saturday, October 29, at Harford Community College.

On-site registration for the 5K takes place in the Susquehanna Center Auxiliary Gymnasium from 8 to 8:45 a.m., with the race starting at 9 a.m. Jamie Costello, an anchor at ABC2, will serve as master of ceremonies.

An activities area, for children ages 10 and younger accompanied by an adult, will be open from 8 to 10 am. It will feature Mickey Mouse- and Halloween-themed bounce houses, costumed characters like The Oriole Bird, Cinderella, Spider Man, Batman, Chick-Fil-A Cow, Chuck E. Cheese, Blue Dot’s Bluey and Harford Community College’s Schreech the Owl in addition to balloon art, face painting, crafts, a costume contest for the kids and more.

Children will have an opportunity to walk to stations within the children’s area to pick up various treats.

Each pre-registered 5K participant will receive a T-shirt, a magnetic photo frame and refreshments after the race. Awards will be presented based on age groups (a new 70-plus group will be added) and final times.

The registration fee for the 5K race is $25 per person in advance (by noon on October 27) and $30 on race day. The cost for those under the age 18 and accompanied by a registered adult is $15 per person. Children 10 and under are free of charge but must be registered to participate in the Halloween activities. Participants may pre-register by visiting www.harford.edu/heather.

Packet pickup for pre-registered participants will be held on Friday, October 28, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Harford Community College’s Susquehanna Center Auxiliary Gymnasium.

The American Red Cross will be onsite from 8 to 11 a.m. with its mobile blood unit, seeking donations. Those not walking or running in the race are welcome to give blood.

Other activities include the opportunity to use a seat-belt convincer provided by the Maryland State Police. A selfie photo booth will also be on site.

Naughty Dogs Restaurant, Pub and Grill, next to Harford Community College, is offering a giveback opportunity on race day. Those who present a flyer from the Hurd 5K from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. will enable Naughty  Dogs to donate 15 percent of their food bill in support of the race.

The race honors the memory of Heather L. Hurd, a history major at Harford Community College from 1999 to 2003, who was killed in 2008 by a distracted driver who was texting. The race was founded to raise funds for Remembrance Book Scholarships for Harford Community College students and to bring awareness to the dangers of distracted driving to children and adults alike.

Over the past seven years, more than $135,000 has been raised by the race for Remembrance Book Scholarships for Harford Community College students. The goal this year is to raise $30,000 and to attract 500 participants.

For those unable to walk or run but who would like to participate, donations may be made to sponsor a participant running or walking in the race, or an outright donation may be made by visiting www.harford.edu/heather.

In addition, a raffle for a signed Manny Machado bat is being held and will be drawn the morning of the race. Tickets cost $2 each or three for $5 and may be purchased the day of the race or in advance by emailing russlers8980@verizon.net.

The Presenting Sponsor is Kent Schwab Allstate Agency. The Children’s Area Sponsor is Stevenson University – School of Graduate and Professional Studies. Silver Sponsors are AAA Mid-Atlantic, Blue Dot Services of Maryland, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield,  Enterprise Holdings Foundation, The Mirmiran Foundation and Law Offices of Jason Turchin. Bronze Sponsors include Auto Eurotech, B. Michael & Sons, Bel Air Fast Lube LLC, C&S Wholesale Grocers, In Memory of Kari Ann Burnett, In Memory of Margay Schee, Laurel Bush Family Dentistry, Len the Plumber, Katie Perry – The Premier Platinum Group at Re/Max Components, Perluke Consulting Services, Plaza Ford and Lee Tessier Team of Keller Williams American Premier Realty. The Mile Marker Sponsor is Classic Body & Fender. Additional sponsors may be found at www.harford.edu/heather.

Harford Community College is located at 401 Thomas Run Road in Bel Air. For more information, visit www.harford.edu/heather or call 443-412-2428.

 

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