April 12, 2010

The 11th Annual 5K Race for Education, Sponsored by Cooley Law School, Set for June 11

The 11th annual Race for Education, sponsored by the Thomas M. Cooley Law School, is set for Friday, June 11 at 7:30 p.m. in downtown Lansing. The 5K walk/run event has raised more than $80,000 for educational institutions across the state since 2000.

The Race for Education is an extension of Cooley's dedication to serving the community, explained race director Terry Carella, who also is Cooley's director of communications. "The race is an opportunity for the community to come together in support of education and a chance for participants to raise funds for schools that are closest to their hearts."

Race for Education proceeds are donated to different schools each year; each Race for Education participant nominates an educational institution of his/her choice and Cooley selects the winning recipients through a drawing. One hundred percent of the proceeds are donated to nominees; one winning school will receive 50 percent of the proceeds; one will receive 25 percent, two will receive 10 percent and one will receive 5 percent of the proceeds.

In addition to random drawings, schools will compete head-to-head this year in a competition that will reward the schools with the most individual nominations. The school with the most nominations will receive $1,000, the school with the second most nominations will receive $750 and the school with the third most nominations will receive $500.

Previous races have helped fund everything from new books to fieldtrips and playground equipment.

"We were absolutely thrilled and excited to be a Cooley 5K Race for Education winner," said Alaiedon Elementary School Principal Marcy Kinzer, whose school was nominated and selected in the drawing last year. "We used the funds to expand classroom technology and enhance our playground and gymnasium equipment."

Race registration will begin at 5:30 p.m. on June 11, with the free children's races beginning before the 5K walk/run; the 100-yard Kids' Capitol Dash will start at 6:35 p.m. and the Children's Capitol Mile Race will start at 6:50 p.m. The Race for Education 5K walk/run will start at 7:30 p.m., followed by the award ceremony at 8:15 p.m. This year, Stan Budzynski and 3rd Degree will provide rhythm and blues musical entertainment for the evening.

Following the race, participants can continue their run down to the newly named Cooley Law School Stadium to check out the home of the Lansing Lugnuts. All participants in the Race for Education will be entered to win a Lugnuts prize package, including suite tickets to a game during the 2010 season, a ceremonial first pitch and a behind-the-scenes tour of Cooley Law School Stadium.

Registration is $15 until May 25; $20 until June 4; $25 from June 7-10 (walk-in registration at Cooley Law School, 300 S. Capitol Ave.); and $25 on the day of the race. Registration is $15 for students through June 11. For more information, including registration forms and sponsorship information visit cooley.edu/race or call (517) 371-5140, ext. 2916.

Cooley Law School is the largest law school in the nation. Founded in 1972, the private, non-profit law school operates J.D. programs across Michigan in Lansing, Auburn Hills, Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor.Today, Cooley Law School has nearly 14,000 graduates across the nation and worldwide and also offers joint degree and master of laws programs. Cooley offers enrollment three times a year; in January, May and September.