The countdown is on! Only 20 more days until the Leapfrog special is done! The Leapfrog Special is a discounted rate to be a runner in the Annual Peepers 5K Run/Walk Race this year, which is May 9, 2020. Registration begins at 8 am, and the race begins promptly at 9 am!
This annual fundraiser goes to providing 3,500 Dollars in local scholarships for students in the Barrington area, or whose family members are in the Greater Barrington Chamber of Commerce. This annual chamber event is hopping into it’s 26th year.
Originally an actual frog jumping contest, after a couple of years it turned into a person hopping race, then an informal walk/run and now it's a sanctioned race – with bibs, timing, and runner categories. Local Runners from the entire area will come to the race because they need to make a certain number of sanctioned races to qualify for the bigger events. The average number of participants is about 421 racers – the goal is to get to 600. Some people run in costume, some in teams, some walk. Sometimes you'll see strollers, and other times you will see people representing a group or a cause. There is even a friendly rivalry in town between TurboCam and Stonewall Surveying for the number of racers in each team. Each of those teams has a charity of choice that they represent, like the local food pantry.
Stacey Gallant, the organizer of the race, strives each year to improve the race. The committee works diligently to provide the registration, snacks, water, and other things that assure a smooth race day. There are vendor tables, entertainment (such as Wildlife Encounters), raffles, bake sales, etc. The Peepers race is really a community activity which can use more community involvement.
This year, one of the improvements is to increase business scholarships. Businesses are encouraged to sponsor this event, which could mean a logo on the back of a t-shirt, a vendor tent with giveaways and goodies for the people in the races and even donations for prizes for the racing winners. There are recommended sponsorship levels found on the website, and recognition for the sponsors as well. It's a good way to give back.
For more about the race – Click Here!