Organizing the Lake Waramaug Polar Bear Run to benefit Guiding Eyes for the Blind has become a team effort here at TrailHeads. All of our employees get involved in putting together the race, and several even hopped behind the start line and ran it!
The Run took place on Sunday, February 24th and despite rainy and misty conditions was a huge success! The Polar Bear Run is one of our favorite events of the year because no matter the weather a group of incredibly spirited racers shows up to complete the 7.6 mile loop around the Lake. Over 350 people signed up to run the race. All registrants received a commemorative TrailHeads multi band featuring custom graphics. Taking place not far from our headquarters, the race passes through three towns; Kent, Warren and Washington, CT and draws runners from all over the state.
One of our core goals as a company is to help people overcome challenges of all kinds and be able to spend more of their lives in the great outdoors. To that end the Run’s mission is to raise awareness and funds for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, an organization that trains guide dogs for the blind or visually impaired. Throughout the year we help them with puppy socialization and participate in events such as their wag-a thon. In 2018 we designated their organization as the charitable beneficiary for the Polar Bear Run. In 2019 we were able to more than double our previous donation, raising $3,284. Several trainers and dogs in training attended the event to meet and support the runners. We enjoyed getting to know them and learning more about the training process!
The first place finish went to William Sanders of Wethersfield with a time of 38.46. Tyler Lyon from West Hartford finished second and the third place finisher was Ken Whitney from West Hartford.
The first place female finisher was Sybil Shapiro from Tolland with a time of 47.11. The second place woman was Alison Masopust of Morris and taking third was Valerie Fox from Danbury. For complete results visit https://fasttracktiming.com/results/.
We’d like to thank everyone who ran and volunteered and all of our co-sponsors for putting together another great event! We’re already looking forward to seeing everyone again at the 36th Annual Lake Waramaug Polar Bear Run!