The inaugural General Electric 5k Road Race, held in 2008, was a huge success, raising many thousands of dollars for the Petit Family Foundation.

With more than 3,000 participants filling the streets of Plainville, both the 5k race and fitness walk exceeded committee members’ expectations of how big this event could truly be. The support shown by the community could be seen in many ways — Whether it was an energetic runner lacing up his shoes, or a hard-working volunteer battling with the 96 degree heat, not one person who attended the first annual GE 5k Road Race came without a smile.

This year, the race will take place on Sunday, July 19 and will start at 9 a.m. instead of 9:30 a.m. The race will benefit the Petit Family Foundation.The amount of people who have registered for this event thus far is keeping committee members very excited as the event looms. Organizers said it looks like it will be another successful event with a lot of runners young and old, and walkers coming out for the day.

The Petit Family Foundation was set up in the wake of the senseless tragedy in July 2007, that took the lives of Jennifer, Hayley, and Michaela Petit. Jennifer Hawke Petit was the wife of Dr. William Petit Jr. and Hayley and Michaela were his daughters. The foundation’s mission is to honor the kindness, activism, and idealism that were personified in these three women. The race motto is “Be the Change,” which stems from those sentiments. The foundation intends to use its funds to foster education, especially women in the sciences; improve the lives of those affected by chronic illnesses, and to support efforts to protect and help those affected by violence against women.

Bob and Gary Heslin, race co-directors, want this event to be successful on many levels. They are both personal friends of Dr. Petit going back to their days as fellow athletes at Plainville High School in the Class of ’74. The organizers are eager to see Plainville pull together, be energized, and make this a great and exciting community event. A great many people know how much a part of the town the Petit family has been and how much they have contributed to so many aspects of the community. Dr. Petit has tried to do something positive and in rememberance of the spirit that was so evident in Jennifer, Hayley and Michaela.

In addition to the 5k road race, there is also a Fitness Walk so anyone can participate and there is a kids’ fun run so the youngest members of the community can be involved. Activities planned for that day include a color guard from the U.S. Naval Reserve Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Center in Plainville, food and beverages being available on site and in the immediate vicinity, a display of the Stanley Works Sprint Cup race car, mascot appearances by Ronald MacDonald, and “Rocky” from the Rock Cats. The drawing for raffle prizes will take place starting at 9 a.m. (tickets can be purchased that day up until the drawing time) with more than 30 prizes, including fourth prize Nintendo Wii System, third prize HP laptops, second prize Vizio 37 inch HD LCD flatscreen televisions and a first prize $1,500 Gift Certificate redeemable at Sanditz Travel. Music will be provided by Jerry Kristafer from WDRC-FM radio, and the media MC will be Brad Drazen from WNBC-30. Channel 30 is the media sponsor.

The event is a fundraiser for the Petit Family Foundation, but just as importantly, it is an event intended to be one that brings the community of Plainville together, according to organizers.
Anyone can visit the race Web site at www.PetitRoadRace.com or may call Bob Heslin at (860) 306-7778.