5th Virtual Summer Smith 5k Addiction Awareness Memorial Run

Run the Race...Stop the Stigma!  

Summer Smith was a loving mother of three boys who lost her 12 year battle with addiction on January 9th 2015.   Summer's mom Kristin has established this race in her memory. Summer desired to live a life in recovery and fought hard to overcome the disease of addiction. 

THE  5th EDITION OF THE SUMMER SMITH ADDICTION AWARENESS MEMORIAL  5K IS GOING VIRTUAL

We hope you and your loved ones are safe and well during these unprecedented times. Our original intent was to postpone the event from the typical May date to September in hopes that we would be able to hold the event.  Knowing that the next few months are still a bit unknown, and given our potentially vulnerable population our race committee has made the difficult but necessary decision to hold this year’s 5k virtually on the weekend of October 23rd to 25th 2020.

What does this mean?  This means you can run the 5k anywhere while following the latest social distancing guidelines as we continue to try to mitigate the Covid19 virus. You will run your 5k between 6am on 10/24 and 11pm on 10/25 keeping track of your own time.  This is not really a competitive event but a community event to provide continuity (for all you who have run every year), camaraderie and a fun goal to keep you motivated.  That being said you will be able to see how you stack up against your friends and there will be some prizes for the 3 fastest men and women.

We will be having an opening ceremony via zoom/Facebook Live on Saturday the 24th at 9:45 am in order to continue the tradition of honoring Summer and the others that we have lost. 

Both runners and walkers are welcome.  Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Addiction Care Center of Albany for education and prevention, the Schenectady YWCA to help women in recovery who have been impacted by the disease of addiction with housing needs and Friends of Recovery Albany to assist in creating a culture of support for those who struggle with addiction and to provide the hope of recovery as well as the local chapter of GRASP.

Our goal for the Summer Smith 5k Addiction Awareness Memorial Run is to bring attention to the current epidemic of the disease of addiction that is sweeping the country and killing our loved ones.. We wish to reduce the stigma associated with this disease and to provide education and awareness regarding addiction while sharing the hope of recovery. If one person is saved, or one conversation is started between a parent and a child, then our goal will have been reached. We look forward to your participation!

Register by 10/11 and you will receive a printable bib to wear on the day.  The first 150 registrants who register by 10/2/20 will receive a race t-shirt. Track and upload your results (you will get detailed instructions as we get closer to 5k weekend) and results will be posted online.  

We will have an early drive through packet pick up on Saturday October 17th in the parking lot of the ACCA from noon to 3 pm. Anyone registered by the above deadline will be able to pick up your packet at that time while maintaining appropriate social distancing guidelines. 

We will have a drive through version of the great Giuliano's Barbecue that you have come to know and love!  Tickets are $15 per meal and $10.00 for a children's meal.  The barbecue will be available for drive through pick up from Noon to 2 pm on Saturday October 17th as well at ACCA.  Tickets can be purchased as you register for the run or as a stand alone item through the store.