Ayer, MA – Registration is open for Nashoba Valley Medical Center’s (NVMC) 8th annual Hunger Run 5K road race on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. All proceeds from the event will benefit Loaves & Fishes, a non-profit organization that provides food and temporary support services to residents of Ayer, Devens, Groton, Harvard, Littleton, and Shirley.

The Hunger Run 5K, which is professionally timed by Wilbur Race Systems and certified by USA Track and Field, will begin at Nashoba Valley Medical Center, 200 Groton Road, at 11 a.m. and travel along the back roads of Ayer and Groton. Walkers are also welcomed to participate in the race.

In addition to the Hunger Run, kids can dress up in their favorite Halloween costumes and enjoy the “Harvest Half Mile Run,” which begins at 10:30 a.m. An awards presentation, as well as fun activities for the whole family, will be available at the finish line. Advanced registration at http://bit.ly/2HbJnxB is strongly recommended. Register by Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019, and receive a FREE T-shirt.

The cost to register for the 5K race in advance is $15, $5 for the Half Mile Run and $5 for 5K walkers. The day-of registration fee is $20, and participants can register between 9 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. Participants should bring one, non-perishable food item to be donated to Loaves & Fishes.

“Everyone at Nashoba Valley Medical Center is excited to celebrate another Hunger Run 5K − an event that truly embodies our hospital’s mission of giving back to the community,” said Korry Dow, president of Nashoba Valley Medical Center. “Loaves & Fishes provides support to a diverse population, including single parents, elderly and people with disabilities, and we are proud to help those in need.”

Since its inception, NVMC’s Hunger Run 5K has generated $38,250 for Loaves & Fishes and recruited over 1,200 participants who have donated more than 2,500 pounds of food to the organization.

To learn more about the Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, visit www.loavesfishespantry.org. For more information about the Hunger Run 5K, contact Lori Gitto at 978-784-9000 or email [email protected]. Organizations who would like to become a sponsor of the event should contact Gary Donia at [email protected].

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