Collingswood Public Library

Collingswood Book Festival 5K Race to Raise Money for New Teen Area in the Library: “Beat the Director”

This year, 120 runners registered for the Collingswood Book Festival 5K, “Beat the Director,” race held on September 26, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. in Collingswood’s Knight Park. Thanks to everyone who registered for the race and who made donations in support of it, and great job to all 113 finishers!

Before the race, we had free yoga and stretching for all participants led by Rachelle Damminger of Yogawood. After the race ended, we joined fellow runners Jen Miller and Matthew Quick for a book signing. We were also delighted to be joined by Project H.O.M.E.’s Sister Mary Scullion, whose H.O.M.E. Run was one of the inspirations for our race.

We’re especially to grateful to all Book Festival volunteers, sponsors (especially race sponsor Victorian Floor Finishing), and to Emerald Productions for making our promotional video and NBC 10 for featuring us on its News at 4:00.

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Last year’s Collingswood Book Festival kicked off with the Friends of the Library-sponsored “Meet the Director,” a discussion with new library director, Brett Bonfield. To kick off this year’s Book Festival, the Friends sponsored a 5K race around Knight Park at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 26.

Registration was $25 and the proceeds from the race will be used to set up a new teen area in the Library. However, runners who finished ahead of Brett—if they “Beat the Director”—were offered $10 back.

The event was hosted by the Collingswood Book Festival and the Borough of Collingswood, and TNT Event Management handled the timing, scoring, and course setup. Jerry Chambers and others who organized the races that used to be held as part of the May Fair lent their expertise, helping to ensure that the first ever Collingswood Book Festival 5K would be a success—and that Collingswood’s teens would have a great new place to hang out at the Library.

Trophies were awarded to the top male and female overall finishers and medallions were awarded to the top three male and female finishers in the following categories: 14 & under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 (there were no duplicate awards). Amenities included t-shirts, an awards ceremony, giveaways, and refreshments.