Johnny’s Jog for Charity, Inc. is hosting their 5th Annual St. Patrick’s Day themed 5K on March 21, 2015, in West Hartford Center to benefit three local non-profit children’s organizations. 

The 5th Annual Johnny’s Jog for Charity will be held in West Hartford on March 21. Submitted photo

Submitted by Monica Lamoureux 

Celebrating its fifth successful year in a row, the Johnny’s Jog 5K will be held Saturday March 21, 2015, in West Hartford. With its usual outdoor fun and Irish festivities, the event will start and finish at the West Hartford Town Hall.

Participants are welcomed to run, walk, and push strollers or show support of the event with family and friends. This year, individuals have the opportunity to register as a team and raise awareness and donations as part of a team.

With the sounds of Irish music in the air throughout the day, bagpipers will send 5K participants off with a tune and welcome them home again. As in years past, event goers can expect to see exciting appearances from one of West Hartford’s Fire Engines for children to tour, Irish step-dancers from the Coogan School of Irish Dance, as well as a clown, leprechaun, face painters, balloons, and prizes for “Best Irish Garb.”

Johnny’s Jog sponsor Rizzuto’s Restaurant and Bar in Blue Back Square will host the after party and raffle that all are welcome to attend. The event’s Grand St. Patrick’s Club sponsor HDI (Hartford Distributors) has supported Johnny’s Jog since the start.

Founded by West Hartford residents Dan and Kelly Clark and Dan and Laura Moran, Johnny’s Jog Charity, Inc. is inspired by a young boy, Johnny Moran, who has bravely battled an unknown neuromuscular condition since birth. With the unending love and support of so many individuals and organizations, Johnny continues to persevere through life’s many challenges.

The vision of “Johnny’s Jog for Charity” is to bring the community together with a grand St. Patrick’s Day themed event benefiting local non-profit children’s organizations, so they can continue to provide assistance to children and their families.

“With the tremendous out pour of support, we have raised over $105,000 for local children’s organizations over the past four years! It really says a lot about this community. We are looking forward to making the 5^th Annual the best year yet!” says co-founder Kelly Clark.

With the resounding success of the last four years, event organizers are hopeful that the support and awareness it has brought about will keep the event growing. Last year’s event brought over 500 attendees and raised $30,000.

Three non-profit children’s organizations will be the recipients of this year’s event.

• Covenant Preparatory School: a non-profit organization providing tuition-free middle school to boys of under-served families in the City of Hartford. The goal is to graduate young men who are academically prepared for further education (www.covenantprep.org).
• Molly Ann Tango Memorial Foundation: a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of children with special needs and their families by helping to finance the purchase of much-needed medical equipment and services when insurance is exhausted and other social programs are not available (www.mollytango.org).
• The Miracle League of Connecticut: New England’s first “Miracle League” baseball league is preparing for its fourth season here in West Hartford. The goal of the league has been to build a field and community that removes all barriers so young athletes with unique needs are able to join their friends and experience the joy and triumph of team sports in their purest form. (www.miracleleaguect.org)

Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. with the 5K starting at 11 a.m. Free parking will be provided at the Town Hall outdoor lot located at 50 South Main St.

To register for the 5K, make a donation, or to inquire about corporate sponsorship please visit www.johnnysjog.com or follow them on Facebook www.facebook.com/johnnysjogforcharity

About Johnny’s Jog for Charity, Inc.: Johnny’s Jog for Charity, Inc. is inspired by 7-year-old Johnny Moran, who has battled an unknown neuromuscular condition since birth. The vision of Johnny’s Jog for Charity is to bring together the community to benefit other nonprofit organizations. For more information or to become a sponsor of the event, visit www.johnnysjog.com.