Stratford Star

Road race to gather food, money for Connecticut Food Bank

Written by John Kovach
Tuesday, 15 November 2011 09:52

When runners hit stride in Stratford Sunday, Nov. 20, they’ll be doing more than putting in their miles. They’ll be gathering money and food to feed the hungry.

The Harvest Hustle, featuring 5K and 10K races, begins Sunday at 8:30 a.m. at Short Beach, 1 Dorne Drive.

The road race, one of the first held to benefit the Connecticut Food Bank, Jack Schlechtweg said, is organized by Stratford-based Big Boy Racing.

“It’s not easy for families out there this year,” said Schlechtweg, a Stratford resident. “We know that when times are hard, donations can be difficult to come by. That’s why we wanted to have an event that calls on the running community and those interested in outdoor activities, for support.”

The entry fee is $20 for the 5K, $25 for the 10K. Runners may register at bigboyracing.net until midnight Thursday, Nov. 17. Registration is open from 7:30 to 8:15 a.m. on race day at the Short Beach Pavilion.

The first runners to sign up will receive T-shirts. DJs will play music along the course, and runners and spectators are asked to donate food items listed at bigboyracing.net.

Big Boy Racing was formed by Schlechtweg, Christopher Capodicci, and Robert Pezzulo, three friends and runners who said they wanted to create an event that would encourage people to give while providing a fun and healthy experience.

The three were donating time to the Connecticut Food Bank when they decided to combine their expertise in sales, marketing and the Internet to organize a benefit road race.

While food drives are often held, Schlechtweg said, such efforts do not raise the money needed to operate the food bank.

Big Boy Racing was named because its founders are physically bigger than many of the hard-core racers seen at such events.

Pezzulo, an Internet expert from Plainville, said running for the founders began last year.

“As the craze caught on,” Capodicci, of Hamden, added.

“We figured there wasn’t a better way to support the food bank,” Schlechtweg said.

Big Boy Racing is not limiting its efforts to the food bank. The Santa Scramble & Toy Drive to benefit Toys for Tots will be held Sunday, Dec. 4, starting at 10:30 a.m. in the Sherman Avenue Canal parking lot in Hamden.

The cost for the Santa Scramble is $15 with a toy donation, and the event also includes a half-mile fun run for children, pictures with Santa, and prizes not only for the top finishers but also for the best holiday costumes, which are encouraged. The first 200 participants receive Santa hats.

Information on the Santa Scramble may also be found at bigboyracing.net.

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