ORANGE — The Orange-based Roaming Goats Run/Walk Club will take part in the Mahar Cancer Fund Fun Run 5K on Saturday, Oct. 17, to support local people impacted by cancer.
The 5K will begin at 9 a.m. at Ralph C. Mahar Regional School. Participants can run or walk the 5K through Orange or use Mahar’s track. Registration is $15, plus an online fee, and participants can also drop in the day of the event. Proceeds will help cancer patients with paying for gas, food and other expenses.
Kelly Knower, who created the Roaming Goats Run/Walk Club, said the Mahar Cancer Walk Committee was formed about 20 years ago to support Mahar staff members fighting cancer. She said the effort has since expanded to help people in Orange and surrounding communities. Those in need of support can contact Lynn Cain at lcain@rcmahar.org.
Knower said the committee reached out to her about two years ago about getting involved with its cancer walk. She suggested adding a 5K, and this year will be the second year that one is held.
The event will also include luminary bags sold by the Mahar Key Club in memory of loved ones, which will be displayed around the track that evening. Basket raffles will be available as well, with drawings held at 2 p.m. Knower said at least 20 businesses contributed gift certificates or other items for the raffles last year.
“It really is a great community event,” Knower said.
She said she hopes the event will make more people aware of the support that is available while also providing an opportunity to give back.
More information about the Mahar Cancer Fund Fun Run 5K is available at runsignup.com/Race/MA/Orange/MaharCancerFundFunRun5K.
The Roaming Goats Run/Walk Club has also hosted its own fundraising events over the past four years. Knower said the group has raised at least $9,000 during that time, supporting recovery organizations, food pantries, animal shelters, families affected by cancer and other community needs.
“We really just try to look at where the need is and then be able to help and support that,” she said.
Among the club’s recent fundraisers was its first half marathon in August, which Knower said raised at least $1,000 for the Rock CF Foundation, an organization supporting those affected by cystic fibrosis. The group also recently held an inflatable fun run to raise field trip money for sixth graders at Fisher Hill Elementary School.
Outside of its fundraising events, the Roaming Goats Run/Walk Club meets each Thursday at 6 p.m., primarily out of the Orange Innovation Center. Knower said nearly 20 people regularly participate, with some running a 5K, others walking a mile and some training for events such as the club’s half marathon.
“It really is less about the performance,” Knower said, “and more about the community and movement.”
She said participation continues to grow, with some people discovering the group for the first time and others returning after time away.
“We welcome people with open arms to come and to join us,” Knower said, “whether they want to walk, they want to run, they just want to socialize. Whatever it is, we encourage that.”