Fifth Donut Dash Invites Runners

Michael Porco, Jr, is getting ready for the 5th Annual Donut Dash, and invites other runners to join him in his annual effort to support Newtown Youth & Family Services (NYFS). This year’s dash, planned for the morning of the Great Pootatuck Duck Race — Saturday, May 26 — kicks off at 8:30.

This year marks the first time the race will offer both a 5K (3.1 mile) run/walk and a Kids 1 Mile Fun Run. Early arrivals will also be treated to live music, Porco’s Karate Academy demo team demonstrations, prizes, and more.

This year’s run starts in Sandy Hook Center at the corner of Glen Road, and heads to Newtown High School, before turning around to stop at the new NYFS location at 15 Berkshire Road. Mr Porco and others will then eat donuts provided by Andrea’s Pastry Shop before resuming their run, heading to Sandy Hook Center.

Participants can walk or run, and children are invited to do a kid’s run.

Funds are raised through public sponsorship of runners, who will also pay a registration fee. Donuts for the runners will also be sold to raise additional funds.

This community-based event was created by Porco’s Karate Academy as a means of raising money for the Newtown Road Race 5K and Kid’s Run benefiting NYFS. Participation in the Donut Dash has grown over the years and is now the kickoff to the Annual Great Pootatuck Duck Race that will start at 10 am on May 26.

Andrea’s Pastry Shop has been an event partner from year one and will continue to supply the donuts for this year’s race.

Runners can register by downloading an application from newtownkarate.com or newtownyouthandfamilyservices.org. Prerace registration needs to be postmarked by May 21, and should be sent to the address listed on the application form.

Applications are also available at Porco’s Karate Academy at 113 Church Hill Road, Newtown Youth & Family Services at 15 Berkshire Road, demitasse café at 3 Glen Road, and Andrea’s Pastry Shop at 5 Queen Street to pick up an application.

Preevent registration for the 5K run is $20, and $25 for onsite registration, which will open at 7:30 am, one hour before the start of the race. The Kids Fun Run, for ages 6–13, is $10 per child in advance, $15 day of and will start at 9:30.

Call Porco’s Karate Academy at 203-426-2427, or NYFS at 203-270-4335, for additional information.

Race sponsors include demitasse café and Andrea’s Pastry Shop.