East Troy Area Historical Society to host annual 5K run-walk
By Meghan Griffin
Correspondent
The East Troy Area Historical Society, in conjunction with the East Troy High School cross country team, will host the Blast to the Past 5K run-walk on Saturday, Aug. 19. Proceeds from the event will be split evenly between the two organizations.
Registration will begin at 8 a.m. on the day of the event and the cost is $35 per entry. Advance registration is available online at etahs.org for $30 until Aug. 18. All participants who register early will receive a T-shirt.
New this year, by popular request, a superhero-themed kid’s 1K will be held before the main event. Children age 10 and younger may enter, and are encouraged to wear the superhero costume of their choice. All 1K participants who register online will receive a cape.
The kid’s 1K begins at 8:45 a.m., and the 5K begins at 9 a.m. Runners and walkers of all ages are welcome to participate in the 5K, including those 10 and younger who are eligible to participate in the 1K. Participants may run as individuals, or form a team. During the registration process, participants will have the option to join an existing team or start one of their own.
Prizes will be awarded on an individual and team basis. Individual awards will be awarded to the fastest male and female time, and to the top three male and female times in each age bracket. Team awards will be awarded to the largest team, the team with the fastest average time, and the team with the four fastest times. Participants who receive an award will be presented with a medal at the awards ceremony at 10 a.m.
Registration, the start and finish line, and the awards ceremony will all be in front of the East Troy High School, 3128 Graydon Ave., with parking available in the high school’s parking lot. Spectators can view the race from the green space in front of the high school while enjoying music and a variety of vendor tents.
Also in front of the high school, the East Troy Area Historical Society will have displays set up to educate participants and spectators about the historic buildings along the race route. These include the airport that used to sit on the gounds where the high school is, the racetrack that used to be by the baseball diamonds, St. Peter the Apostle Church, the buildings surrounding Village Square Park, and more.
The East Troy Area Historical Society has been running the 5K for the past 10 years. The race actually started long before that as the Fiddle Run, hosted by the East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce during the annual bluegrass festival. When the Chamber of Commerce stopped hosting the run, the Historical Society stepped in and began the Blast to the Past 5K, at first during the bluegrass festival, then moving the event to August in order to allow the cross country team to participate.
This is the last year that the event is to be held.
The race will be held rain or shine. Race coordinators may cancel the race for severe weather at their discretion.
For more information about the race or the East Troy Area Historical society, or to make a donation, visit etahs.org. To register online, visit www.silvercirclesportsevents.com/blastpast.
For answers to specific questions, including applying to be a vendor, email easttroyareahistorical@gmail.com.
