Registration Open for Annual Daffodil Run for Big Brothers Big Sisters

Daffodil runners

Hundreds of students, faculty and staff members are again expected to participate in the 8th annual Daffodil Run to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County on April 29 beginning at Kendrick Park in Amherst.

Runners and walkers can register online until April 23 at RaceWire.com, or visit www.chd.org/DaffodilRun.

Race day registration at Kendrick Park begins at 8 a.m. The race will begin promptly at 10 a.m., with 5k run/walk and 10k options.

Prizes will be award to the first, second and third place runners in each gender category, as well as the top runner from each age category.

Race participants are invited to arrive early to enjoy free coffee from Esselon, as well as a pre-race warmup by fitness professionals from 50/50 Fitness/Nutrition.

Every year, many UMass Amherst runners and volunteers are members of UMass Greek Life, including representation from TKE, Pi Delta Psi, Theta Chi, and Delta Kappa Delta. The Sylvan Snack Bar team returns this year with a team of runners. 

Family-friendly post-race festivities will include games such as tug-of-war, corn hole, hula hooping with Hoop Joy and more. There will be a bounce house for little ones, music, a barbecue (free to participants) put on by The Pub and, new this year, food for sale from Bueno Y Sano and Flayvors of Cook Farm Ice Cream.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County develops friendships between mentors and mentees that are supported by professional case managers, giving children and families added support as they navigate challenges ranging from everyday growing pains to those challenges faced by immigrants, single parent households or families in shelter, for example.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County helps more 200 children annually, but many children still await the opportunity to be matched with a mentor.