First Holiday Dash to Bring Toys to Families in Need

Dashing through some Northborough neighborhoods Saturday will promote happier holidays for families in need.

Participants in the first Holiday Dash 5K Fun Family Walk/Run are asked to bring new, unwrapped toys, all of which "will be split between Northborough Helping Hands Adopt a Family Holiday Program, Toys for Tots, and Friends of Families in Transition," Sharyl Corrigan, who organized the event with Liz Nolan, said in e-mail interview.  Northborough's Purple Rose also has donated to the event. 

The event starts at 9 a.m. at Ellsworth McAfee Park, on Route 135.

"The course will start Longfellow Road and travel through the Northgate neighborhoods for 3.1 miles," Carrigan said.

"We are asking that people park at the at Ellsworth MaAfee Park on 135 and walk across the street to the start. The route will be marked by Jenn Garron of Northborough, who mapped out the 5k route. At the end of the race, we will have a volunteer, Kelly Enman of Clinton, who will be handing out water and hot chocolate to the participants.  The hot chocolate is being donated by Lava Java in Northborough."

Participants are invited to come in holiday costumes, Carrigan said.

"It’s a great way to get in the holiday spirit, have a little fun, give back to our community, get together with friends or make new connections through being active and fit," she said.