Red’s Shoe Barn (www.redsshoebarn.com) introduced this race as the Red’s Shoe Barn 5 Mile Road race 31 years ago.
Several years ago, Red's Shoe Barn general manager Dave Whitehouse, a true community visionary and leader, turned the planning and execution of this race over to five local non-profit organizations transforming this race into a fundraiser, with the intent to strengthen the community through the various programs and services that each of the non-profit organizations perform each day.
Partnering with Rochester Runners Club, a well known and respected running club in the area, the representatives of the non-profit organizations and Rochester Runners Club Race Directors Ken Houle and Chuck Zerbinopoulus, have grown this event by more than 100% over the past 6 years!
In 2007, the partnership added a popular 2.4 mile walking route to the event, catering to all ages and families alike!
The original “five” non-profit organizations are:
Three years ago, the group expanded to include two more prominent non-profit organizations to help with the planning and to increase participation in the form of runners and walkers for the event. Woodman Park Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) and the Seymour Osman Community Center joined the collaboration.
In 2011, the number of runners and walkers exceeded the 1000 mark! The steady growth of participants in this race demonstrates the desire of the community to support the necessary work of these non-profit organizations, and to strengthen the community in which many participants live in.