This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

BOSTON ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL NON-PROFITS THROUGH ITS SUPPORT OF BLINDFOLD CHALLENGE WITHIN B.A.A. 5K

Event during Boston Marathon® weekend will include opportunity to raise awareness and funds for blind or visually impaired children and adults.

 

BOSTON, MASS. – On Saturday, April 19, 2014, the Boston Athletic Association will support local blindness organizations – National Braille Press, Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Perkins, and The Carroll Center for the Blind – by hosting the third annual blindfold challenge within its B.A.A. 5K.

Find out what's happening in Brooklinewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

 

This year, the B.A.A. 5K start and finish line has been relocated from Copley Square Park to Boston Common to accommodate a larger field size. The race begins at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 19, 2014. 

Find out what's happening in Brooklinewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

 

On race day, 35 teams of runners, comprised of a blindfolded member with a sighted guide, will participate in the B.A.A. 5K.  Each team commits to raising a minimum of $500 to benefit the participating non-profit organizations.  The pairs of runners will join a field of 10,000 entrants.  The 2014 B.A.A. 5K has reached its maximum field size and entry is closed.

 

The B.A.A.’s inclusion of the blindfold challenge in the B.A.A. 5K will bring awareness and resources to essential efforts to give blind or visually impaired children and adults the power to live more independently.  In the challenge, runners are connected by a two-foot tether and will run the same course, at the same time, and under the same circumstances as the other runners in the 3.1-mile event.  The pair attends one training session to heighten their awareness of the capabilities of all people when given the proper tools.

 

“We will once again partner with these instrumental organizations at the B.A.A. 5K on Boston Marathon weekend to provide an opportunity to run in one of Boston’s most anticipated road races of the year,” said Boston Athletic Association executive director Tom Grilk. “The many participants that choose to run blindfolded inspire these organizations and the people with whom they work.”

 

Proceeds from the Blindfold Challenge benefit four Boston-based groups that support the blind and visually impaired:

 

·                                                Carroll Center for the Blind

·                                                MA Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired

·                                                National Braille Press

·                                                Perkins  

 

ABOUT BOSTON ATHLETIC ASSOCIAITON (B.A.A.)
Established in 1887, the Boston Athletic Association is a non-profit organization with a mission of promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports, especially running. The B.A.A.’s Boston Marathon is the world's oldest annual marathon, and the organization manages other local events and supports comprehensive charity, youth, and year-round running programs. Since 1986, the principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon has been John Hancock Financial. The Boston Marathon is part of the World Marathon Majors, along with the international marathons in Tokyo, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City. The 118th Boston Marathon will be held on Monday, April 21, 2014.

 

For additional information on the Boston Marathon®, the B.A.A. and its races and programs, please visit www.baa.org.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?