‘Field and Forest 5K’ run set for June 9

WOODBURY >> Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust will hold its third annual “Field & Forest” 5 K trail run on Friday, June 9 at 6 p.m., at the Flanders Van Vleck sanctuary.

All ages and skill levels of runners, joggers and walkers are welcome to register for the 3.1 mile run/ walk through the trails and hills of the nature center.

After the race participants will be treated to a post-race celebration with food trucks which include the “Big Green Pizza Truck,” offering gourmet pizzas and salads, and “The Comfort Zone,” which offers an array of specialty toppings on pretzels, as well as pulled pork from Bantam’s Wood’s Pit BBQ, a hotdog station and live music provided by the popular local rock band, Root Six.

An advance registration fee of $35 includes the run or walk, two food truck items and for those over age 21, a complimentary craft beer. Registration is $40 on race day. Online fees are extra. Additional food and drinks will be available for purchase by spectators and participants. The first 300 race registrants will receive a performance race t-shirt. Awards will be given to top male and female finishers overall as well as in 8 age categories ranging from age under 10 to over 60.

Race committee chair, Jodi Wasserstein explained the reason for holding the race.

“We offer a trail run because it is a fun event, exposes community members to our beautiful Flanders properties, and promotes health and fitness,” she said, in a written statement. “All the funds raised from the run will go to directly support Flanders’ mission of preserving, protecting and educating people on the natural world around us. We encourage people to register as soon as possible and bring friends and family for this great evening of fitness, food and fun.”

For full information and to register online go to flandersnaturecenter.org and click on the trail run box on the website homepage.

The race will be held rain or shine. No strollers or pets will be permitted on the course on race day.

Major sponsors are Aquarion Water Company, Bank Of America, Main Street Financial Group, Michael Friedman Orthodontics, Webster Bank, Cadi Company Inc., Crossfit Strongtown, Crystal Rock, Dr. William Filchak, Homes by Heather, Ion Bank, L.F. Powers Co., Thule, and Valenti Audi. Additional sponsors include the Law Offices of Dana D’Angelo; Dembreski Chiropratic and Rehabilitation, Edgewood Bath & Tennis, Gager, Emerson, Rickart, Bower & Scalzo, LLP, Municipal Emergency Services, Quassy Amusement Park, The Senich Law Firm, and Stone Veterinary Hospital, all whom have lent support to this Flanders event.

Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust is a nonprofit organization that focuses on environmental education, and on the acquisition, conservation, and stewardship of open space. Through its land trust initiatives, Flanders actively works to protect important natural sites and the area’s landscape character and quality of life. Flanders manages more than 2,300 acres of preserved land in Woodbury and neighboring towns. Educational programs for children and adults are offered at the Van Vleck Farm Sanctuary, Flanders’ main campus in Woodbury. Trails at its major nature preserves are open to the public at no charge from dawn to dusk. For more information, call 203-263-3711 or flandersnaturecenter.org

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO —FLANDERS NATURE CENTER The Field and Forest 5K at Flanders Nature Center in Woodbury is set for June 9. Registration is now open to runners of all levels.