Road race set for another year  

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NAUGATUCK — The sixth annual Ion Bank St. Patrick’s Day Road Race and Festival is just around the corner.

The race, which will be held in downtown Naugatuck, is March 19. The race is the largest fundraiser for the Naugatuck Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports public schools by providing funds for educational activities that are not covered in the school system’s annual operating budget.

The race features a 5K, 10K, a 5K fun walk and a fun run for children ages 10 and under. The races start at 10 a.m. and the children’s fun run begins at 11 a.m. The races start and finish on Old Firehouse Road.

The entry fee is $30 for runners prior to race day and $35 on race day. The cost is $15 for students, $25 for walkers, and $5 for the children’s run.

As of last week, there were over 300 people signed up for the race, NEF Chairman Matt Fortney said. He said the final number of runners will depend on the weather. Last year, when there was a snow storm, the race did not draw many runners. But three years ago, when it was sunny and warm, there were over 700 runners, Fortney said.

The race, which has a St. Patrick Day theme, features corned beef sandwiches and a beer or soda at the end of the race for every runner. The event will also include live Irish music.

According to Fortney, the race will travel the same route it has for the past three years, heading through the scenic parts of Naugatuck and across the Naugatuck River walkway.

“It’s a good event with lots going on,” Fortney said.

For more information or to register for the race, visit www.naugatuckroadrace.org.