MILFORD — Runners and walkers are invited to flood the streets of Milford on Saturday, March 21, to honor the memory of James Mattioli on the weekend of his birthday.

James was one of the 20 children who died in the tragedy at Sandy Hook School in 2012.  The race, which drew over 1,200 participants in its inaugural event last year, will feature a certified 5K course, a kids event, and a variety of local food trucks with food for purchase at the finish line. 

The registration fee for children and adults for the 5K is $26, and the fee for the kids event is $16. Race shirts are guaranteed for the first 1,000 people to register.

Online registration can be secured at www.raceroster.com. A shirt/bib pick up for Newtown and Sandy Hook residents will be held at NYA Sports & Fitness Center on Thursday, March 19, from 6 to 8 pm.

Day-of registration will begin at 7:30 am at Fowler Field, 1 Shipyard Lane in Milford.

The race will kick off at 10 am from Milford Fire Headquarters, 72 New Haven Avenue in Milford. 

Proceeds from the race will benefit The James R. Mattioli Scholarship Fund, set up by James’s parents, Cindy and Mark Mattioli. Two scholarships will be awarded this spring, at Milford’s two public high schools — Jonathan Law High School and Joseph Foran High School — in memory of James.

The Mattiolis created the fund as a way of paying tribute to their family’s happy memories in Milford before their move to Sandy Hook, and also to thank the community for the outpouring of support in the playground build there last spring to honor James through the Sandy Ground: Where Angels Play Foundation. 

In addition to the 5K and kids event, a virtual option is available for those who would like a race shirt and cannot attend on race day but will run/walk that day to support the cause.   

To register for the event, visit www.raceroster.com. For additional information about the event, contact mattioli5k@gmail.com.