Muddy Sneaker 5K set for today

PHOTOGRAPHER: Michael Goot

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Glenville Rotarians are getting their sneakers muddy for a good cause today.

The second annual Muddy Sneaker 5K will be held in Indian Meadows Park on Droms Road to raise money for charity. The race begins at 9 a.m., with a one-mile Fun Run beginning at 8:30 a.m.

The club will donate proceeds to the Shellstrong Foundation of Burnt Hills, Samaritan Counseling and other Rotary projects, including polio eradication and providing clean water and sanitation in Third World countries.

Kate Toombs, a member of the Rotary committee for the run, said the race came about because the club helped create a 5K course in the park as part of a boy’s Eagle Scout project.

“It’s nice for walking and running. It was sort of the culmination of that project to make the community aware of the many improvements made to Indian Meadows over recent years,” she said.

There are also additional fields, a playground and pavilion.

Rotarians also wanted to promote health and fitness and bring attention to worthy causes. The Shellstone Foundation was started by the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake community in honor of Matt Shell, head football coach at Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School, who had surgery to remove a tumor from his tongue and lymph nodes from his neck in 2006. In 2009, his then-8-year-old son Jacob was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma. He underwent surgeries to remove tumors, endured chemotherapy and received a stem cell transplant. Both have since been declared cancer-free.

Toombs said the foundation provides money to local families battling cancer to pay for services such as hotel and travel expenses for people who have to go for treatment at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. It also provides funding to organizations such as the Double H Hole in the Woods Camp and the Children’s Hospital at Albany Medical Center.

In 2011, the run raised $2,300, and Toombs said organizers expect to exceed that this year.

About 130 people have registered for the run, according to Toombs. People can still sign up today. The cost is $25, and checks should be made payable to Glenville Rotary Club.

Runners are encouraged to bring bathing suits because the Glenville YMCA will open its pool to Muddy Sneaker runners after the race. There will also be post-race food and refreshments.

For more information, visit www.glenvillerotary.org.