Registration is open for the First Annual Team Kyle 5K Race/Walk being held Saturday, Oct. 19, at St. Maximilian Church on Black Point Road in Scarborough. Funds raised will be donated to the Team Kyle Foundation to assist with their continuing effort to “Pay it Forward” in honor of the foundation’s namesake, Kyle St. Clair.
Kyle was a preemie and spent nine months in the NICU at Maine Medical Center in Portland. He had more than 45 surgeries and spent a good part of his life in hospitals. Kyle passed away on Jan. 8 at his home with his family and a few special people by his side. Kyle’s strength, love and hope were contagious and live on in everyone he touched. The Team Kyle Foundation was established to support specific needs of children with illness and disability.
The race, which is being held during Kyle’s birthday month, aims not only to raise funds for the Foundation, but to celebrate Kyle by adding some of his favorite things to the day’s events including, face painting, popcorn and a special orange tribute to Kyle before the race starts.
More than 300 participants are expected to take part in the inaugural event that winds through a scenic, stress-free 5K course.
“The community support has been nothing short of amazing,” said race co-director Angela Kelly. “Less than two weeks after setting up online registration for the race we already had over 150 runners and walkers signed up. We have sponsors and volunteers seeking us out daily asking how they can be a part of this event.”
The event is being sponsored by local businesses including Cabela’s, Portland Pie, Kennebec Rental Equipment, Omni-Technical Consulting, Scarborough Family Chiropractic, The Scoville Foley Team from The Maine Real Estate Network, Dixon Heating and Cooling and several supporting sponsors from all over New England.
“We cannot thank everyone enough for their staggering generosity and willingness to help,” said Kelly. “Seeing the extraordinary outpouring of support confirms to us, daily, that we are doing the right thing in planning this event all in memory of one amazing little boy, Kyle St. Clair.”
Participants can register online at http://running4free.com/RaceDetails.aspx?raceid=264. Pre-registration fee is $22. Race-day registration $32.
For more information, contact Race Directors Angela Kelly (831-4651), Heidi Hamblen (838-9620) or Sean Kelly or email teamkyle5krace@gmail.com. You can also visit https://www.facebook.com/TeamKyle5kRunWalk.
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