Linda's Sandy Hook Run for the Families race report

Submitted by Linda Iroff @LindaofNote

Before I began my virtual 5K Sandy Hook Run for the Families, I confess I was feeling angry and frustrated. Angry and frustrated over the rush to purchase weapons and ammunition following the tragedy of December 14, 12012; over the unabated gun death toll in the past 3+ months; over the cowardice of our legislators and their inability to do anything meaningful about it, especially compared to the bravery of the teachers and administrators at Sandy Hook School who gave their lives to protect the children.

Join Team #Run3rd in the Sandy Hook Run for the Families!

Join Team #Run3rd in the Sandy Hook Run for the Families 5K on March 23 in Hartford CT. to benefit. Please note that 100% of the registration fees for this event go directly to the Sandy Hook School Support Fund, managed by the United Way of Western Connecticut.

If you can't make it to Hartford, run in your own neighborhood, or even on your treadmill as a virtual runner. You can still be part of Team #Run3rd!!

To register for the race as a team member:

1. Go to https://register.bazumedia.com/reg/form?eventID=2618.
2. After creating an account, choose the "Join or create team" option for either the Adult 5K, Youth 5K or Virtual Run.  
3. Begin typing: #run3rd. The team name should pop up.
4. Select it and continue registration process.

If you have already registered and want to join the Team, send an email to registration@hartfordmarathon.com with your name, date of birth and the team name #run3rd, and you will be added to the Team Toster. Rosters are updated every two weeks.

We hope you will join #Run3rd in running for the Sandy Hook Families!

To keep up-to-date on race information, join the Sandy Hook Run for the Families Facebook group and follow their Twitter account.

Sean Astin's Sandy Hook Virtual 5K race report

Submitted by Sean Astin @SeanAstin

Read other Sandy Hook virtual race reports.

While I really wanted this virtual 5K to be a healing gesture and a note of hope—aside from the $20 entrance fee which, wonderfully, will go to the Sandy Hook School Support Fund established officially by the victims' families—it wasn't. I stepped onto my fancy new treadmill, which I've been using to help recover from a bunch of injuries, and I felt nothing. There was just a void. Running is inspiring, it's ennobling and it most certainly has the power to heal. But not that night. Did I mention that I ran it at night? Appropriate.

Sandy Hook Virtual 5K race reports

On Saturday, December 29, 2012, most of the Team #Run3rd Captains took part in the Sandy Hook Virtual 5K, one of several running events being held to support the Newtown CT community after the terrible shootings at the Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Sean Astin, Andrea Barber, Christina Boulard, Tony Conticello, Heidi Corrado, Sarah Diamond, Michael Hornsby, Linda Iroff, Laura Lawson, Heather Slawinski, Lupe Steele, Heather Stewart and Cheyanne Witte all participated. Some of us did it a day early (Linda, to avoid impending snow), some a day late (Sarah, after recovering from a bout of vertigo), and when Christina and Cheyanne were unable to run due to sick child and unexpected surgery, respectively, in true Team #run3rd spirit, Heather Stewart added their miles to hers!

Here are reports from some of the captains.

Run3rd for Sandy Hook

Updated 1/5/13

Several running events are being planned in support of the victims of the shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School. We hope you will be able to participate in at least one of them!

• Sandy Hook Virtual 5K Run in support of the Sandy Hook School Support Fund

Virtual 5K Run. Run ANYWHERE you'd like. Run on your treadmill, around a city block, at a school track or where every you'd like FOR THIS WORTHY CAUSE! Donations will be sent to Sandy Hook School Support Fund c/o Newtown Savings Bank, 39 Main Street, Newtown CT 06470

Registration closed. December 29. Registration is $20. Register via active.com by December 28.

• Strides for Sandy Hook 5K

Let's bring Newtown closer together. On January 19, 2013 join us for the first annual Strides for Sandy Hook 5k. This race will be a fundraiser in which proceeds will be donated towards funding for a memorial dedicated to the victims of last week's tragedy. Registration site to come in the following days. Pre-race registration will be $25, day-of registration will be $35.

More information is available at the Facebook group.

• Sandy Hook Elementary Memorial Virtual Half Marathon and 5K

This is a virtual half marathon and virtual 5K. Since it is virtual, you can complete it anywhere in the world. You can run, walk, swim, bike, anything you like, and you can complete the 13.1 miles or 5K all at once, over the course of a week, or whenever you can. Please complete all miles between now and Jan 31st. This is on the honor system - you do not have to report your miles. Race Benefits United Way of Western Connecticut Sandy Hook Victims.

More information at the Facebook event page. Registration is $20 for the 5K, $30 for the half. Register via active.com by January 31 and complete distance by that day.

• 5K Run for the Children of Sandy Hook.  This event will take place in Danbury CT and feature a 5K run and family walk, as well as 1/2 mile and 1 mile kids' fun runs. Date is set for March 23, 2013 with a 10am start time. There is also a virtual run option to run anywhere!

Join the Facebook group or follow @5krunforshf on Twitter to stay apprised of plans.

Registration now open!

• Runner's World covers these and some additional events.

If you know of any other events, please comment below with a link and I will add them. Thank you!