Race4Chase may have been canceled earlier this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but like a phoenix rising from the ashes, it was able to come back for a modified two-week program called “Race4Chase — Phoenix Program” at the Newtown Community Center. It concluded with a mini-triathlon throughout the Fairfield Hills Campus on the morning of Saturday, August 8.

The Chase Michael Anthony Kowalski (CMAK) Foundation created Race4Chase to honor the life of first grader Chase Kowalski, who died on December 14, 2012, at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Chase’s parents, Stephen and Rebecca Kowalski, established the charity as a way to keep the legacy of their son’s competitive spirit and vitality alive. The foundation also seeks to focus on the health and wellness of children and families.

According to Joy Savulak, who handled publicity for the Race4Chase — Phoenix Program, this year’s program was restructured and allowed for children ages 6 to 12 to be split into small groups to train in swimming, biking, and running.

The two weeks of hard work prepared the young athletes for a mini-triathlon on the last day of the program, which had them swimming indoors at the NCC then biking and running on the varied terrain of the Fairfield Hills campus.

A crowd of family and friends, many who held up handmade signs to show their support, were on the sidelines to cheer for the runners, and each participant was welcomed to the finish line with a dog tag chain necklace.

NCC Director Matthew Ariniello told The Newtown Bee after the race, “We were so fortunate to host this program this summer in a modified version and want to thank the CMAK Foundation and the Kowalskis for allowing us to do so.”

He added, “It was great to see the progression of this group even in a two-week period. While this has been a challenging summer and even more challenging week, these kids were able to rise to the occasion and work toward a common goal while being kids. I want to thank the coaches who worked tirelessly with these kids the last two weeks, not only on their skill but [to] improve their confidence. We are looking forward to hosting the full program next summer.”

For more information about Race4Chase, visit cmakfoundation.org/race4chase.