Pub’s 5K Run proceeds to benefit Norwalk’s Next Steps

The 5K event in memory of Annie Curtin will be held on Sunday. The race starts at 11 a.m. at O’Neill’s, located on 93 North Main St. Check in for race participants starts at 9:30 a.m. on the back patio.

NORWALK — Proceeds from the 10th annual O’Neill’s Irish Pub and Restaurant 5K Run will benefit Norwalk Next Steps, the city school district’s age 18 to 22 transition program.

“Norwalk Next Steps is honored to be the recipient,” said Jessica Ireland, the transition coordinator for Norwalk Public Schools, in a press release.

The 5K event in memory of Annie Curtin will be held on

Sunday. The race starts at 11 a.m. at O’Neill’s, located on 93 North Main St. Check in for race participants starts at 9:30 a.m. on the back patio.

To register, visit the website runsignup.com/race/CT/Norwalk/ONeills5K. Adults can register at $40 through May 14 or $45 on race day. Students ages 11 to 18 can register for $15 through May 14 or $20 on race day. Kids under 10 race for free.

Donations to benefit Next Steps can also be made at the race registration site by clicking the “Donate” button in the upper righthand corner.

Curtin was 6 years old when she died in August 2010 from a ruptured brain aneurysm. Her family frequented O’Neill’s and Curtin was an avid Irish Step dancer.

“At Norwalk Public Schools, we share in Annie’s love of life through our mission to serve and educate people of all abilities. Our focus is on independent living, employability and communitybased integration,” Ireland said.

Norwalk Next Steps began in 2016 with eight students. The program has since grown to support 28 students and recently moved to the school district’s new Family Center from the Norwalk Health Department.