The Spring Branch Education Foundation (SBEF) will sponsor the 16th annual Running for the Arts 5K Run/Walk and Kids' 1K beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 3, at Memorial City Mall. You’re invited to run, walk or even sleep in – and still participate.

This year’s goal is 2,008 runners in 2008!

Superintendent of Schools Duncan Klussmann will fire the starting gun at 8 a.m. for competitive runners, followed by walkers on the 5-kilometer course. One hour later, the Kids' K event, a noncompetitive, 1 kilometer run for students in eighth grade or below, will be held at the Mall.

“This event involves the entire community,” Running for the Arts Chair Patti Kroger says. “You’ll see families running together, elementary school students taking part in their first-ever race, and professional runners who come back year after year. The school district’s Health Fitness Teachers Association is joining us this year, so I have no doubt that we will reach our goal – 2,008 runners in 2008!”

Support Good Causes

 Proceeds from Running for the Arts provide cultural arts field trips for Spring Branch ISD students in grades one through eight, sponsored by the SBEF. All students attend performances and exhibitions by premier arts organizations, many for the first time.

A portion of this year’s proceeds will benefit the Health Fitness Teachers Association, which is supporting the day’s activities. The association sponsors college scholarships for students, teacher scholarships for professional development, community awareness programs, and other good causes.

“We believe that there is a very strong link between wellness, the arts and academic success,” SBISD Heath and Fitness Director Rebecca Fuchs says.

Register Today

 Runners, walkers and fitness-minded families can register online through www.signmeup.com or by downloading the registration form. Registration fees include a t-shirt and race packets. Costs are:

• $15 per person for participants 18 years old and younger
• $20 for adults
• $50 for families of three
• HARRA members receive a $1 discount
• Registration on the day of the race is $25 for all participants

Race packet pick-up and additional registration hours will be held at Sun & Ski Sports at Memorial City Mall:

• Thursday, May 1, from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.
• Friday, May 2, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
• Prior to the event on Saturday, May 3, from 6:30-7:45 a.m. at the event

Sleep in – and Participate!

 You’ll have the t-shirt to prove you participated if you join the “Saturday Sleep In” team. All you have to do is… sleep!

Sponsorships are offered for $50 and include four official Running for the Arts t-shirts; registration counts toward a participating student’s school in the Highest School Participation Contest. T-shirts should be picked up during the packet pick-up times at Sun & Ski Sports.

Silent Student Art Auction

 You can get a jump start on Running for the Art’s annual Silent Student Art Auction by visiting the second floor of the SBISD Administration Building, 955 Campbell Road, between now and Tuesday, April 29, and bidding on dozens of student art works displayed there.

The Silent Auction will be located inside the north entrance of Memorial City Mall near Eye Masters from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, as part of Running for the Arts race day events. The auction features student works from every SBISD school. Bids begin at $5 and then increase by $3 increments.

Inaddition to student work, SBISD Executive Director of Elementary Instruction Patti Pace has created a unique piece of personally designed jewelry for the auction and Memorial High School art teacher Marilyn Guerinot has donated a signed canvas print.

After bidding on the the SBISD Administration Building display ends April 29, call-in bids will be accepted from April 30 to May 2 in the SBISD Art Office at 713-365-4224.

This year, school awards will be issued for the elementary, middle and high schools that raise the most dollars through the auction. Come see – and bid on – the lovely art works that Spring Branch’s children have created. Make a difference in a student’s life, and take home a future Picasso.

Something for Everyone

• Jump rope and hula hoop contests and other child-focused activities
• SBISD performing arts groups, including a marching band, jazz ensembles and singers will perform throughout the morning
• An Awards Ceremony held outside the Mall’s food court entrance
• After-race party hosted by Berryhill Baja Grill & Cantina at the Mall open for all participants

Awards

 The male and female overall winners will each receive a $300 gift certificate provided by Memorial City Mall and a gift certificate from Sun & Ski Sports for a pair of running shoes by Mizuno.

Overall male and female master winners (40 years old or older) will each win $200 gift certificates from Memorial City Mall. Other awards include:

• The SBISD campus with the highest participation will receive a $500 gift certificate from Young Audiences of Houston and $500 Academy Sport & Outdoors gift certificate for its health fitness department.
• Other participating SBISD schools will be in a drawing for the same prizes.
• All registered runners and walkers will be eligible for numerous door prizes from community merchants. Winners must be present to win.

Sponsors

 Our community is generous in its support of Running for the Arts and SBISD students. This year’s sponsors are:

• Presenting Sponsor: Memorial City Mall and Metro National
• Gold Medal Sponsor: Barry and Sue Abrams
• Silver Medal Sponsors: James and Mallory Shaddix and Perdue, Brandon, Fielder, Collins & Mott, L.L.P.
• Bronze Medal Sponsors: Gary and Lydia Junek, Apache Corporation, Greenwood King and Gulf Coast Recycling
• Underwriters: Greenwood King sponsors water and snow cones, and BerryHill Baja Grill & Cantina sponsors face painting
• In-kind donors: Berryhill Baja Grill & Cantina, Sun & Ski Sports, Mizuno Sports and Memorial City Mall

For more information, call 713-365-4781.

posted 04-22-08