More than 250 pairs of feet hit the pavement on Sunday, October 29, leaving a charitable trail that totaled approximately $11,000 behind.
The 2nd Annual Fitzy’s 5K Run/Walk and 1 Mile Fun Run proved to be another whopping success this year with proceeds donated to two charities – both established in the memory of Lauren Fitzgerald, a graduate from Wyomissing, who died of a brain tumor at age 20, July of 2005.
“We had a great turnout this year… the volunteerism was incredible,” said Michael Fitzgerald, Lauren’s father, who is a Technology Education at Wilson Senior High School. “We had students from Wilson, Wyomissing and loads of adults all volunteering.”
And that long list of helpers included Nicole Stein, 13, of Norristown (a friend of Lauren’s younger sister Hannah Link Fitzgerald) who raised more than $100 for the event.
An estimated 400 people were in attendance including 250 people participating in the 5K event and approximately 50 in the 1 Mile Fun Run. More than 100 supporters cheered on friends and family members running the 2.3 miles that started at Happy Hollow Playground and continued through the streets of Wyomissing.
During the race and at the conclusion nearly 50 door prizes and awards were given to lucky winners. “People were commenting on the amount of door prizes,” Michael noted. “We had gift certificates ranging from tattoo shops to health clubs. There was also a silent auction.”
Additionally, the day’s activities including therapeutic massages, entertainment, a buffet and face painting, were all the inspiration behind a Halloween theme. Michael explained the Halloween event, where some participants actually ran the 5K in their costume, coincided with Lauren’s birthday. “She would have been 22 years old.”
Plans are already ignited for the 3rd Annual Fitzy’s Run event. After costs of the event, an estimated $8,000 will be donated to The Lauren Fitzgerald Fund for Brain Tumor Research, and The Lauren Fitzgerald Scholarship Fund.