The Lyme-Old Lyme community will come together for the final time on Saturday, July 25, to honor the memory of Caroline O’Brien of Old Lyme, at the Sixth Annual Caroline’s Miracle Foundation 5K Run, 5K Walk and Kids K. This race attracted more than 500 runners last year and 2015 marks the final year the Foundation will hold this event.
Caroline O’Brien, a silly, happy, carefree 10-year-old girl was diagnosed with a brain stem tumor in 2009. The tumor, Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, has been called the cruelest and deadliest of all cancers. Caroline started her foundation in 2010 with the help of her family.
Initially, the O’Briens wanted to raise money for the cure, however, it was 11-year-old Caroline who requested that the foundation focus on helping kids with brain tumors do “really fun things.” To date, Caroline’s Miracle Foundation has boosted the spirits of 78 kids … and counting. To see some of the ways the foundation has “brought smiles to the faces” of children, visit carolinesmiraclefoundation.org.
To celebrate the final year of this extraordinary fundraiser, the O’Briens have eliminated a set registration fee, instead allowing runners to donate a fee of their choice. This event is a 100 percent volunteer effort, which means that 100 percent of donations will go directly to creating extraordinary “smiles” for kids battling serious illness.
A committee of volunteers of all ages has planned the race, which will be timed and is both flat and very fast. The race will start in front of Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School, head down historic Lyme Street and weave its way through the historic village of Old Lyme.
Young friends of Caroline have made posters and decorations to line the race route, including the now familiar ‘smiley face’ logo, which adorns the shirts for the first 200 registered runners.
Registration opens at 6:45 a.m. at the Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau (LYSB) at 59 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT. There are three separate events; the 5K walk starts at 8 a.m., the 5K run starts at 8:15 a.m. and the Kids’ K starts at 9 a.m.
Following the run, a party with music, food, free massages and more will be held at LYSB. After that, runners and their families are invited to visit the Old Lyme Midsummer Festival, taking place all day on Lyme Street.
Participants are strongly encouraged to pre-register online at www.carolinesmiraclefoundation.org. On-line registration closes Thursday, July 23, at 12 noon. On-site registration at LYSB (59 Lyme St., Old Lyme) will be held on Friday, July 24, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Race Day starting at 6:45 a.m.
For further information about the race or the Foundation, contact Jennifer O’Brien at 860-434-2246 or e-mail [email protected].