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Rich Dalessandro Memorial Fall Turkey 5K, 2 Mile Run/Walk, & Kids' Fun Run

Sat November 5, 2022 Dalton, OH 44618 US Directions

Place

250 North Church Street
Dalton, OH US 44618

Promo Video!

Description

Registration is now closed and the race is SOLD OUT!
Packet pickup will take place in the gym on FRIDAY NOVEMBER 4, from 5-6p and SATURDAY NOVEMBER 5, from 7:30-8:45am in the Dalton Elementary & Middle School gymnasium.
15th Anniversary Finisher Medals for all!
*This will be the final year for the race! Scroll all the way down for the explanation of why! 

Location: Dalton Elementary and Middle School. 250 North Church Street, Dalton. The 5k course is USATF certified. 

Please note the times of each race this year:

Kids Fun Run: 8:40am
5k and 2-Mile: 9:00am

About This Event:
15th Annual, fun-filled, family event created to raise money for leukemia research and benefit local families with leukemia. This race was founded by the Dalessandro family in memory of their son and brother, Rich Dalessandro. Rich passed away after a strong battle with leukemia on April 29, 2007. Proceeds will go to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to help fund research for this disease and local families battling leukemia.

2022 Recipient: 
Elizabeth Simmers is a mom of 6 kids who was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) last December. She continues to battle this disease and will be undergoing a bone marrow transplant in September. She lives in North Lawrence and works in Dalton as a nurse. Blood cancer runs in her family, as her brother Tim passed away from lymphoma 6 years ago. The family has great financial need with mounting medical bills and time off work. 

Special Features: 

1. Age-Based Pricing: 17 and under get $5 off regular registration!

2. Running/walking events: 5K, 2-Mile Run/Walk, Kids Fun Run. Please note we are NOT having the 10k this year. 

3. VIRTUAL Run/Walk Category: For those who can't make it to the race, or are out of the area/state who want to help the cause. Every registered participant will receive a premium race shirt, custom race bib, and finisher's medal mailed to their home as part of their registration for the Rich Dalessandro Memorial. Must register by September 30th to get a t-shirt! All Race items will be mailed to registered participants after the race date.

4. Team Challenge:
Largest three teams win no matter the time or event!  Gather up everyone you know to be on your team. Participants can do either the 5k or 2-mile run/ walk. Each team member signs up individually for their event and can create/join a team when registering for the event. Get your friends and/or co-workers together, come up with a unique team name, and log your time! Virtual team members should turn in their completion of event by November 4 at 5pm.

Dominos is generously sponsoring Pizza Parties for winning teams! The biggest team gets a pizza party gift card and a plaque!  The second and third biggest team will receive a pizza party gift card! AGAIN THIS YEAR: We will then draw one team from random to receive a pizza party gift card! So no matter what size your team is, you can still win! Gather up anyone you can find for your team, even if it is just a few people! Top three teams will be listed on the results.  

Your team leader should create the team and then you can choose it from the dropdown list of existing teams so that no spelling errors occur! After clicking event to register, select your event from the dropdown menu. To be added to a team, you then must click the brown box titled "TEAM CHALLENGE" to the right of the screen. Select a team from the dropdown menu or create your own team.

5. Overall and Age-Group Awards:
All runners and walkers preregistered by September 30 will receive a short-sleeve tech or long-sleeve cotton T-shirt. Shirts may still be available for those registering after this point, but there is no guarantee and will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. 
Top 3 overall male/female of the 5k and 2-Mile Run get a wooden plaque, and a Vertical Runner gift cert. Unique wooden medals created by Star Laser will be given to the top 3 in each of the following 5k and 2-mile run/walk age groups: 9U, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75 & older.

6. FREE Kids' Fun Run!
Tom Turkey returns!! The Kid's Fun Run is a free event for kids age 6 and under. Kids will run approximately 200-400 meters with Tom the Turkey, cross the race finish line, and get an award! Parents may run with their child in this event if they wish. Optional t-shirts are available for $5 each! (*Please note that sizes may vary to a larger size on race day depending on shirt inventory).

7. Health Expo is back!
Join us in the gym during packet pickup on Friday and Saturday to browse the various booths! 

Want FREE ENTRY into the race?? Here's how:

Option #1: Become a Fundraiser!
When registering for your event, click the option to "Become a Fundraiser" and be a part of Michele's Miles for a Cure! Once you raise $100, we will refund your entry fee into the race! But feel free to raise as much as possible! There will be a special plaque given to the participant who raises the most money! This category is an official part of our race and will be part of the proceeds raised for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and our local families. All funds raised should be submitted through the online fundraising option in order to have your entry fee refunded. Now family and friends can donate directly to you through this website! Quick and easy! (Please note the price increases over time. Registration fee will only be refunded in the amount you originally paid. Processing fees are not included.)

Option #2: Refer 5 Friends:
Choose this option when registering and you will be issued a coupon code. When 5 of your friends that you refer register under this coupon code, you will get free entry into the race! (Please note the price increases over time. Registration fee will only be refunded in the amount you originally paid. Processing fees are not included.)

THIS IS THE FINAL YEAR FOR THE RACE! Read below for more details: 

Major Announcement! Get the tissues ready!
 
For those of you who like the news right at the beginning and don’t want to read through a long post: This will be the 15th and FINAL YEAR for our race!
 
For those who want all the details, read below:
We began this race 15 years ago after my brother died of leukemia. We needed something to channel our grief into, to find a purpose for our suffering. Over the past 15 years we have done just that. We have been able to bless so many families who have had a blood cancer. We have helped the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society with funding research. And we have loved doing this. It has been healing for all of us. Keeping Rich’s memory alive and helping others has been priceless.
 
We feel this is the time to change gears. We have poured our own blood, sweat, and tears into this race. Some people thought I was crazy to set huge goals of getting over 1000 participants (did it many times) and raising over $20k in one year (did it and have kept doing it!). When I want to do something, I get obsessive about it until it’s done! This kind of mindset can keep me pretty busy though. We have so many wonderful volunteers who help on race day/week and we appreciate them so very much!! The main race committee consists of just my parents, my husband, and myself. We fundraise, market, promote, and race direct. There’s a lot of stress involved in directing a high-class race. Most other races have committees for each one of these areas (and/or it’s a full-time company). We have sacrificed to bring something special to the runners AND to the charity. And we have absolutely loved it. However, we are entering a new phase in life. My parents are getting older, my kids are getting older, and our priorities are changing. This decision has not come lightly and has, in fact, been one that we have prayerfully considered for several years now. We have always felt we could do “just one more year.” But at this milestone, the 15th year, we feel that this is the time to retire the race.
 
With that being said, we wanted to make this announcement early, so that those of you who want to run the race “one last time” can do so. Those of you who have said “I’ll run it next year”…this is your year to run! The race will sell out this year. Secure your spot now and get in on the “final run.”
 
Additionally, if you would like to donate, we would appreciate your donations at the registration link to help us make this the biggest donation year ever! 
 
Sincerely,
Chrissy (Dalessandro) Fratena, Race Director

 

Race Contact Info

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Presenting Sponsor

Platinum Sponsor

5k Course Map

5k Course Map

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10k Map

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2-Mile Route

Paper Registration Form

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Directions

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