Hoof It For Haiti 5K Run, Walk & Kids' Run April 26-Registration & Sponsorships Now Open

Sacred Heart Church of Southbury announced that registration has opened for their Hoof it for Haiti-Southbury 5K Run & Walk on Saturday, April 26, 2014. This fourth annual fundraiser supports the many programs and individual projects the church’s Haiti Ministry has established through their reciprocal ‘twin parish’ relationship with the people of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows parish in Grand Boulage, Haiti.

Race director Christine Granja stated, “We are currently seeking sponsors for this important fundraising event. Proceeds from our 2013 race helped purchase material for new classroom benches for the school in Grand Boulage, plus provide hot lunches for all the students that were served in the school canteen throughout the 2012-2013 year. We were also able to continue funding the teachers’ salaries for the school year. All proceeds from this race go directly to fund this important mission.” Granja also expressed gratitude to members of the Hoof it for Haiti race committee at St. Elizabeth Seton Church in Rocky Hill, Connecticut for their assistance and guidance in setting up this annual event.

The Hoof It for Haiti 5K Run & Walk features a 3.1 mile, mostly flat and fast course through the streets of the Town of Southbury and along beautiful country roads with gentle, rolling hills. This is the same course as the very well attended Turkey Trot race held annually Thanksgiving morning. The 5K Run & Walk begins at 9:00 a.m., registration will be held from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. and pre-registration is encouraged by paper or online. Free T-shirts will be distributed to runners who pre-register by April 1st. A limited supply of T-shirts will be available for purchase on race day. Walkers will follow the runners.

The popular Kids Hoof It Fun Run for children 12 years and younger begins at 8:30 a.m. Kids 6 and younger will run a 100 yard dash from the actual 5K Run starting line to the actual 5K finish line. Kids aged 7 to 12 and up will run one loop around the church which is .2 miles and equates to just under one lap around a standard track. All participating children will receive a bib number, finisher’s medal, and T-Shirt.

Awards will be given at approximately 10:15 a.m. to the first Overall Male and Female 5K finishers, and to the top three runners in each of the following divisions: Male and Female: 10 & under, 11-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 & over. The awards ceremony and post-race refreshments will be offered for all participants on the front lawn of Sacred Heart Church at 910 Main Street South in Southbury.

Sponsorships at all monetary levels from $25 to $2,500 are being sought. “We are most appreciative,” stated Granja, “for all the sponsorships and generous donations we received for the past three Hoof It For Haiti races. We look forward to welcoming returning and new sponsors for 2014.” Sponsorship levels range from “Friend” level equaling donations up to $99 to “Bronze” = $100, “Silver” = $250, “Gold” = $500, “Platinum” level = $1,000 and up, and “Diamond” level of $2,500 and up. Sponsorships are requested by March 15, 2014 for public recognition ambitions.

The fee for Hoof it for Haiti 5K Runners is $20 for those who pre-register online at by midnight on Tuesday, April 22nd or by U.S. Mail postmarked by Monday, April 21st. Race registrants on Race Day will pay a $25 fee. Walkers’ fee is $15 in advance or on Race Day. The fee for children 12 and under participating in the Hoof It Fun Run is $10/child. Registration fees are waived with a minimum of $100 raised in pledges. Registration and pledge forms can be downloaded from the race’s website, and must be received by March 15, 2014.

To learn more or to register for Sacred Heart Church’s Hoof it for Haiti fundraiser 5K Run & Walk or Kids’ Hoof It Fun Run, visit http://www.hoofitforhaiti.org/southbury/

Interested sponsors should contact sponsorship@hoofitforhaiti.org. To volunteer for this exciting opportunity to help raise monies to send to Haiti residents, or for any other questions or needs, contact race director Christine Granja at racedirector@hoofitforhaiti.org or at 203-264-4467.