Beautiful, clear skies and a chilly breeze was the perfect setting recently for the fourth annual Richardson High School 5K.

Mayor Steve Mitchell fired the starting pistol then proceeded to run the certified course. As participants ran and walked through the Richardson neighborhoods, they were met by enthusiastic RHS students encouraging everyone on to the finish line.  RHS track team members with stop watches kept our runners informed of their times at mile markers one and two.

There was a record 606 registered participants this year for the run, held March 8. Runners came from RHS, other RISD schools and the Richardson community, but many came from Garland, Mesquite, Farmers Branch, Rockwall, Plano, McKinney and Irving to name a few.  The event raised $35,800 which included race registrations and contributions by corporate and family sponsors. The proceeds from the race benefit the RHS Excellence in Education Fund, which goes directly to academic programs at the high school.

RHS principal, Charles Pickett kept busy helping start the race and greet runners at the finish line. Pickett said, “To make a event of this size work, large numbers of students, school staff, parents, City of Richardson staff, community members, and businesses must work collaboratively.  The result is that we get to know each other better, forming close relationships that allow the diverse strengths found in our school and community to come together creating a strong team that results in great things; such as, the Richardson High School 5K.”

Seana Vissotsky, director of the RHS 5K said, “It warms your heart to know that there are people in our community who do care about the future of our young people. Seeing these people come together for the betterment of our school makes all the hours it takes to put on this race very much worth it!”