MONTAGUE — The Montague Elks Lodge No. 2521 will host its first charity 5k on Saturday, with hopes that the race will become an annual community tradition.
The Montague Elks Charity Chase 5K will feature a 3-mile race with a men’s and women’s category that will be timed by Tri-State Racing Services. There is also a 1.4-mile, or 2,521-yard walk or run that will not be timed. Both races are open to people of all ages.
The 5K race loop will start at 10 a.m. at the Elks Lodge, and also end at the Lodge. The course has runners traveling south on Seventh Street, then turning right onto High Street continuing south till they take a left on Keith Street, just north of Scotty’s Convenience Store. The course turns right down Davis Street, connecting to Turners Falls Road, then turns left onto Turnpike Road in front of the Montague Public Safety Complex. Runners will turn right on Montague Street, right onto Crocker Avenue, left on Marshall Street then right on High Street to connect back to Seventh Street where the race will end.
The proceeds of the race will go toward the Elks Lodge, which includes registration fees of $40 per runner before the race, then $45 on race day. There will be winners for the top three in both the men’s and women’s categories, with first-place winners receiving a trophy for their win.
Montague Elks Exhaled Ruler Allie Cooke said this race was inspired by her own running journey that started while she was a general member of the Elks Lodge. She has been working with the idea for a race hosted by the Montague Elks since last year, and has been running in local races like The Brick House 5K in Turners Falls, and the Big Brothers, Big Sisters Daffodil Run in Amherst.
Now leader of the Elks Lodge, Cooke said putting together this race lets her bring her own interest in running to the Elks Lodge with the goal to expand its community presence and raise money for the lodge so the non-profit can continue to host further events and maintain its charitable initiatives.
“I’ve been a member for a little while, and the Montague Elks does great things for our community, so I felt like the race is the perfect way to bring my passion for running together with the Elks’ mission,” Cooke said about the race.
The Montague Elks, founded in 1974, are a non-profit organization and a chapter of the national Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE). All Elk Lodges operate with a charitable mission, and the Montague Elks participate in several community events throughout the year.
The walk and run route will also start the Elks Lodge, then south on Seventh Street and right onto High Street where the course connects to Keith Street, then left on Davis Street. They will then turn left onto Crocker Avenue, then right up Marshall Street to connect back to High Street, then down Seventh Street to the finish.
The roads will not be closed, Cooke confirmed, but volunteers will be set up around the route with Montague Police Department staff to help.
Thus far, Cooke said the race has been well-received online through the Facebook event, but registration is still low. She hopes to have between 15 and 20 runners this year, and expects the first race will be a building year for participation and getting the word out.
“Our main goal is to get our name out there,” she said. “I really want to start a new tradition. I want people to see the Elks as a positive force in the community, giving back, building up the future, and helping out.”
For more information on the Montague Elks Charity Chase 5K, or to register, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/MA/TurnersFalls/MontagueElksCharityChase.