The Delaware Farm Bureau Foundation is hosting its 7th annual 5K Milk Run/Walk this November to benefit the Food Bank of Delaware and the Ministry of Caring.
The event facilitated by TriSports Events was created by the New Castle County Farm Bureau to raise needed funds for the Ministry of Caring’s Milk for Children fund which impacts children in upstate Delaware. Funding also benefited the Middletown Neighborhood House in the past. With about 100 participants, it expanded last year to include both the Ministry of Caring and the Food Bank of Delaware’s Backpack Program, reaching children across the state.
“The race was put on by TriSports Events which is run by Ray Parker. He’s a good friend of ours and he does a good job putting these races on,” Andrew Jakubowitch said. “Having the Farm Bureau there was an added bonus because they did a good job putting the race on. They had amenities before and after the race, including ice cream which was good.
Jakubowitch and his wife, Erin, both ran in last year’s event and took home the overall male and female winners awards respectively. They have not been active in the racing scene this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but he said they are excited to race again.
“I’ve been racing for about 35 years; she’s been racing since about 1990, so ten years. We travel, race and that kind of thing all over the place. Usually, I’ll finish the race and I’ll jog back to cheer her on. She’s usually not that far behind me,” he said. “This race was well organized last year, and it’s run by a local, small business. We like supporting that. And the course was decent. It’s a good use of the county’s resources and paved trails. The venue is nice, too, Buffalo Wild Wings. We could stay and have beers and wings after the race.”
Cowbell awards topped off a successful race for the Jakubowitch’s and other racers last year, he said.
To date, about $95,000 has been raised to benefit the Ministry of Caring’s Milk for Children Fund, the Middletown Neighborhood House and the Food Bank of Delaware’s Backpack Program.
This year’s event will be held Saturday, Nov. 21 rain or shine. Runners and walkers will gather at Buffalo Wild Wings located at 680 Bay Road in Dover with the 5K event beginning promptly at 9 a.m before traveling the flat, scenic rural landscape of the St. Jones Isaac Branch Trail. A Healthy Kids Run begins at 8:50 a.m. Anyone wishing to support the cause but does not want to participate as a walker or runner, can sign up as a silent hero.
Registration is $25 through Saturday, Nov. 14, or $30 after and on the day of event. To register online, visit TriSportsEvents.com. Checks can be made payable to the Delaware Farm Bureau Foundation, mailed to TriSports at 2772 Hazlettville Road, Dover, DE, 19904.
All registered participants will receive a Milk Run 5K Run/Walk Performance Tech shirt. Awards will also be given out to include ribbons for all Kiddie K participants and unique cow bell awards for the overall male, female and master’s winners. Other awards will include the top three male and female runners in age-specific groupings.
“The Food Bank of Delaware is proud to partner with the Delaware Farm Bureau on the Milk Run again this year. It is vitally important to have community partners that are supportive of the mission of ‘ensuring a community free of hunger,’” Chad Robinson of the Food Bank of Delaware said. “We appreciate the constant commitment of the Farm Bureau in ensuring access to healthy, fresh produce for those in need, as well as all the dairy farmers who make the Milk Run successful and support our efforts.”
