ABC Fall Foliage Walk Fundraising Event

The 42nd Annual ABC Fall Foliage Walk and 5K Run—planning for this year's event is underway...

General Information

The Amherst Committee for A Better Chance will hold its 42nd Annual Fall Foliage Event on Saturday, October 19, 2013, including the 3-mile Family Style Walk, and the 5k Competitive Run. An Amherst tradition, the event has annually brought together hundreds of residents and school children to admire the diverse colors of the foliage while they walk or run for diversity in the community.

The Fall Foliage Event is Amherst ABC's biggest fundraiser, providing living and school expenses for the ABC scholars: young men of color identified by the national ABC program for their leadership potential. They board at the ABC House on North Prospect Street under the tutelage of Resident Director Talib Sadiq and Assistant RD Tyson Rose while they attend Amherst Regional High School. Operating costs for the program total the equivalent of a middle class family income, about $100,000.

Schedule of Events:

8:30 AM Registration for 5K Run begins

9:00 AM

Registration for 3-Mile Walk begins

**Walkers may Register and begin Walking any time between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
10:30 AM 5K Run begins
11:30 AM-2 PM Entertainment, BBQ, kids' activities, raffle

 

This year, organizers offered many ways to participate and raise funds for Amherst ABC:

  • The 3-Mile Family Style Walk – The 3-mile walk route, which begins and ends on the Amherst Town Common, is geared for families and young children. Walkers mat start any time between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
    • To register for the walk, either:
      • click here to register online in early September.

      • OR

      • Pick up a registration and pledge form in early September at any of the Amherst School Offices or download the printable version here.
    • Walkers are asked to make a personal donation of $25, and/or to gather pledges. Friends and family may sponsor you online (you will receive an email to use for this purpose when you register to walk) or give you a check. Please bring all pledge checks on the day of the walk, or mail them to the following address:

      Amherst A Better Chance

      AC #2286, Amherst College

      PO Box 5000

      Amherst MA 01002-5000

  • 5k Competitive Run – Following the same course as the Family Style Walk, but finishing up the hill from the Town Common, the 5k Run is a brisk jog through some of Amherst's most scenic areas. The 5K Run begins at 10:30 a.m.
    • To register for the run, either:
      • Click here to register online at RunReg in early September.

        • OR

      • Print out, complete, and mail in the registration form (pdf form will be available soon)
    • Runners are encouraged to gather pledges. Friends and family may sponsor you online by clicking here or by giving you a check. Please bring all pledge checks on the day of the run, or mail them to the following address:

      Amherst A Better Chance

      AC #2286, Amherst College

      PO Box 5000

      Amherst MA 01002-5000

  • Sponsor a walker or runner. To sponsor a walk or runner, click here in early September.

3-Mile Walk/5K Run Route

The Fall Foliage Walk and 5k Competitive Run will start on the Amherst Town Common. Walkers and runners will leave the Town Common, cross Route 9, and head to Amherst College. The route partly circles the Amherst College campus and loops around the College tennis courts. It will then enter the College woodlands of the Amherst College bird santuary, highlighted by a beautiful view over the Pelham Hills. Finally, it will follow the Norwottuck Rail Trail back to the College campus. The finish for the walkers will be on the Town Common. The finish line for the 5K Run will be at the Octagon, on the Amherst College campus. Runners and walkers alike are then invited to enjoy entertainment,a barbeque, and kid's activities.

Click here to register online for the Walk

   Donate to ABC or sponsor a walker   Click here for a printable map

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