Running for the Arts set for May 4

Spring Branch Education Foundation (SBEF) will sponsor the 21st annual 5K Running for the Arts Run/Walk on Saturday, May 4, at Memorial City Mall outside JC Penney. Competitive runners will begin at 8 a.m.; 5K walkers will follow. The Kids K (1K) non-competitive run for participants in 8th grade or younger will begin at 9 a.m.

“This is a community event that has something for everyone,” said Christine Gentil, event chair. “There will be families running together, elementary school students participating in their first race and professional runners who come back year after year. We’re grateful that our school district’s health fitness teachers interest students not only in Running for the Arts, but in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.”

In addition to the run/walk, children will enjoy jump rope and hula hoop contests, face painting, a bean bag toss and other fun activities. SBISD performing arts groups, including a marching band, jazz ensembles and singers, will perform throughout the morning. A silent art auction will be held in the Mall on race day, 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.; the auction features student works from SBISD schools.

All participants are invited to the awards ceremony outside the Mall’s food court entrance. Runners will be treated to an after-race party.

Register Today

Runners/walkers may download registration forms or register online at runningforthearts.com. Information is also available at Facebook and at all SBISD schools.

Participants may solicit support from friends and family through Reason2Race, www.reason2race.com. Registration fees, which include a t-shirt and race packet, begin at $20 per person for participants 18 years and younger, $25 for adults.

Fees increase in $5 increments on Apr. 21 and at packet pick-up.

Community members are invited to be a Student Sponsor at the $275 level (15 SBISD students) and $125 level (five SBISD students).

“Saturday Sleep In” sponsorships are $70 prior to April 20, $75 until April 30, and $80 at packet pickup. These sponsorships include four Running for the Arts t-shirts, and four registrations count toward a selected school in the Highest School Participation Contest.

T-shirts should be picked up during the packet pick-up times.

Race packet pickup and additional registration is scheduled at Memorial City Mall’s food court area on Wednesday, May 1, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Thursday, May 2, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Friday, May 3, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

There will be no packet pick-up or late registration on Saturday.

Volunteer to help with the event by calling 713.251.2381.

A Good Time for a Good Cause

RFA proceeds provide cultural arts field trips for SBISD students in elementary and middle schools, sponsored by SBEF.

Students experience performances and exhibitions by premier arts organizations such as the Houston Symphony, Houston Grand Opera or the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston — many for the first time.

A portion of the proceeds benefit the Health Fitness Teachers Association. Members help with the event.

The Association sponsors college scholarships for students, teacher scholarships for professional development, community awareness programs and more.

Awards

Male and female overall winners will each receive a $300 gift certificate provided by Memorial City Mall. Overall male and female master (over age 40) winners will receive $200 gift certificates provided by Memorial City Mall.

The SBISD school with the highest participation will win a $500 gift certificate from Young Audiences of Houston and a $500 Academy Sports & Outdoors gift certificate for the health fitness department.

All other SBISD schools with a minimum of five participants will be entered into a drawing to win one of two prizes: a gift certificate from Young Audiences of Houston or a gift certificate from Academy Sports & Outdoors.

All registered runners and walkers will be eligible for numerous door prizes from community merchants.

Winners must be present.