About
Event Overview
Franklin Academy students have participated in local 5Ks for over a decade. During the 2020-2021 school year, when off-campus trips were paused, we brought the race to our campus! With the 1st annual race day set on April 25, we realized this was National DNA Day. It was the perfect quirky holiday to celebrate. We designed a weaving, double helix-inspired two challenging loops around our campus, with science facts peppered around the course. With reused trophies generously donated by members of the Run 169 Society, we celebrated in style. The successful event has since returned by popular demand each year.
While most run or walk, our creative and fun students and faculty have brought traditions of racing in non-traditional modes (piggybacking, biking, being carried by kayak, or walking on stilts). We embrace and encourage this fun!
The 1.75 mile course has remained a constant, though we have moved the date to May. We continue the tradition of gathering reused trophies throughout the year and regifting them to course winners. Over the past four years this has been a private event for our Franklin Academy community (although local legend and two-time 169 Queen Maureen Gillis, who just can't resist a race, has been known to sneak in...). But this year, we have decided to open our campus to the larger world to share how awesome Franklin Academy is!
The event is rain or shine!
Course Description & Map
This is a challenging 1.75 mile course around our campus. The majority of the course is on packed, rocky dirt paths (affectionately known as "The Murphy Highway"), with some short parts of pavement, including a fast downhill on River Rd, and some brief stretches of grass. While there are many hills, we have a fast downhill finish.
Envision yourself getting a personal record as you check out a run-through of the course.
Schedule
Registration ends May 23, 2025 at 9:00pm EDT.
Registration & Pricing
$17.50 incl. $1.93 Fee for General Public 2:15PM EDT
Packet Pickup Details
Packet pickup details will be provided closer to the event date.
What to Bring
Participants should bring their registration confirmation and any necessary gear for the race.
Race Day Info
Race day is May 24, 2025. The event will take place rain or shine.
Awards & Categories
Awards of reused trophies and occasional surprise Franklin swag will be awarded three deep in various categories.
Parking & Transportation
Use the Pond House/Dining Hall entrance. In a GPS this is 100 River Rd, East Haddam, CT. Signs and parking attendants will guide you. Please follow parking signs.
Contact Information
If you have any questions about this race, please contact the race director.
Cancellation Policy
The event will take place rain or shine.
