May 20, 2005

6th Cooley 5K Race for Education Coming Up Quickly

The sixth annual Cooley 5K Race for Education will be held Friday, June 3, 2005, at 7:30 p.m. Proceeds from the race benefit area educational institutions.

In this unique race, each registered participant has an opportunity to earn money for a local educational institution by naming that school on their race entry form. If that registered participant’s name is drawn in the post-race ceremony, the school named on the form is sent a check after the race. The prize money can be significant. The 50 percent proceeds winner in 2004, Glencairn Elementary in East Lansing, received over $3,000. The Cooley 5K Race for Education has given away over $30,000 to area schools since its inception.

"Calling the winning schools is one of the most rewarding things I get to do," said Cooley Race Director Terry Carella. "Every year some unexpecting grade school principal or cross country coach or college department gets a nice surprise call from me telling them that they are going to receive a check for hundreds or thousands of dollars, and it's usually very much needed. In fact, I've presented checks for a number of school programs or activities that would have been eliminated had it not been for the Cooley Race proceeds award. It's gratifying to know that the Cooley Race for Education is really making a difference in our community and with area schools."

Pre-race registration can be done on-line up until the end of the day on June 1, 2005. Participants can also download a race entry from the Cooley Web site and send the form and entry fee to the Cooley Law School Race Committee at P.O. Box 13038, Lansing, Mich. 48901 Both online registration and the downloadable form can be accessed at www.cooley.edu.

The race starts and ends on the east side of the Capitol Building in downtown Lansing. The event features a 5K walk/run, two children’s races, children's activities, cool t-shirts, lots of food, and music by The Uptown Band.

Race Day registration begins at 6 p.m. on the east Capitol lawn. Pre-registered participants may also pick up their race packets either at Playmakers, 2299 W. Grand River, Okemos, on Thursday, June 2, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. or on the Capitol lawn during Race Day registration.

Following the 7:30 p.m. 5K race, there will be a Children’s Race around the Capitol at about 8:30 p.m. When that is completed, there will be a Kids' Capitol Dash of about 100 yards on the east sidewalk in front of the Capitol Building.

Registered 5K participants receive a t-shirt with their race packet. Only pre-registered participants are guaranteed a shirt. Children’s Race t-shirts are available for $5 during pre-race packet pick-up at Playmakers on Thursday, June 2, or on the day of the race, 6 p.m., on the Capitol lawn.