Over 100 runners of all ages braved a foggy December morning to test themselves and to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County at the Portage unit’s annual Arctic Dash 5K and Igloo Dash on Saturday morning.
Despite a the weather being a little chilly, there was strong support from all levels of the community to make the event a success. Funds raised from the raise will go to help the Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County with their operational budget.
Click here for photos of the race!
“It all goes to the bottom line,” commented Steve Letic, Unit Director for the Portage Unit. “Whatever we raise today will allow us to do what we do on a daily basis and assist us in purchasing materials and games.”
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County had relatively great weather with it being the first weekend in December. The idea of a winter race just seemed to fit, noted Alison Martin, Director of Resource Development.
“With the race taking place right after the popular Turkey Trot’s in Valparaiso, Portage, and Highland, we can give people another chance to work off their Thanksgiving Dinners,” she explained.
In its second year, the race has the goal of netting $11,000 for the organization. Next year’s race will be considered a Gold Cup race for the Calumet Region Striders, one of the more well-known race clubs in Northwest Indiana.
“In my opinion, in three or four years this will be a premier pro race in the area,” said South Haven Unit Director Ron Ranta, who could be seen encouraging and supporting runners on the race’s home stretch. “The kids here like the encouragement and the attention, and that’s what I was out there trying to give them.”
South Haven Elementary School won the Mayor’s Cup, given to the school in Portage Township School Corporation with the highest participation in the race.
Race Results from T&H Timing: Overall | Age Group
“I think today went really well! The weather was nice, we had a Minion and the kids loved that; it was a lot of fun,” said Stephanie Hamilton, Special Events and Marketing Manager. “Texas Corral brought some chili and Ben’s Pretzels brought some food too and that went over really well.”
NWI Clean Air, an air quality program associated with the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission, was the event’s Presenting Sponsor and took advantage of the opportunity to spread their message while connecting the the community.
“NWI Clean Air tries to do a really good job of educating the public on air-related topics, and one of our topics is asthma,” said Amanda Pollard, Environmental Educator with NIRPC. “While running can trigger asthma issues, it can also help. And the Boys & Girls Club is a great organization and we couldn’t not be a part of it.”
At the end of the day, everyone was there to support the mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County in any way they can. Readers are encouraged to support the Boys & Girls Clubs in any way they can; opportunities are not limited solely to financial support.
“We’d love people to come into our clubs and see what we do,” said Ryan Smiley, President of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County. “Find a program or an area you’re passionate about and get involved in some capacity. We are always looking for volunteers to help us out and make an impact on the kids in their community.”
For more information on the Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County, click here.