140 River Rd, East Haddam CT
Sunday, May 17th, 2026
RACE HISTORY:
Franklin Academy students have participated in local 5Ks for over a decade. During the 2020-2021 school year, when off-campus trips were paused, we brought the race to our campus! With the 1st annual race day set on April 25, we realized this was National DNA Day. It was the perfect quirky holiday to celebrate. We designed a weaving, double helix-inspired two challenging loops around our campus, with science facts peppered around the course. With reused trophies generously donated by members of the Run 169 Society, we celebrated in style. The successful event has since returned by popular demand each year.
While most run or walk, our creative and fun students and faculty have brought traditions of racing in non-traditional modes (piggybacking, biking, being carried by kayak, or walking on stilts). We embrace and encourage this fun!
The 1.75 mile course has remained a constant, though we have moved the date to May. We continue the tradition of gathering reused trophies throughout the year and regifting them to course winners. For the first four years, this was a private event for our Franklin Academy community (although local legend and two-time 169 Queen Maureen Gillis, who just can't resist a race, has been known to sneak in...). But in 2025, we opened our campus to the larger world to share how awesome Franklin Academy is!
The event is rain or shine!
DAY-OF REGISTRATION: While we prefer pre-registration to allow us to properly sync bibs with names, we will allow in-person registration beginning at 1 pm on the day of the race for $25, paid in cash (preferred) or by credit card.
PARKING & DIRECTIONS:
Use the Pond House/Dining Hall entrance. In a GPS this is 100 River Rd, East Haddam, CT.
Signs and parking attendants will guide you. Please follow parking signs. Please avoid using the main Franklin Academy entrance.
If coming from the Chester Ferry (which makes for a beautiful and memorable trip):
After passing the entrance to Gillette Castle, drive 0.7 miles. You'll pass a mailbox for 117 River Rd on your left. Make your next right onto our campus, just as you begin ascending a hill.
If coming from Town St/149:
After turning on to River Rd, drive 0.8 miles. Drive past the main entrance and continue slightly down a hill. Take a left toward the bottom of the hill. If you hit the mailbox for 117 River Rd, you've gone too far. Turn around and take the first right, where parking volunteers in bright vests will greet you.
PRIZES AND RESULTS:
We love to celebrate at Franklin Academy! Awards of reused trophies and occasional surprise Franklin swag will be awarded three deep (no double-dipping) in the following categories:
- $20 cash prize for setting a new course record (New course record: 10:33 set by Rob Amatruda in 2025!). One prize per year.
- Canine companion - given the safety needs on our boarding school campus, please submit a copy of current vaccinations to the race director (click Questions below) before bringing your leashed dog
- Current Franklin Academy student
- Current Franklin Academy faculty
- Non-binary
- Female: 14 and under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80-89, 90+
- Male: 14 and under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80-89, 90+
The Younger Kids Race (ages 6 and under) is one half-lap around our soccer field.
The Kids Race (ages 7 to 12) is one full lap around our soccer field.
Both are free and open to racers ages 12 and under. Awards will also be given 3-deep. And if you ask, we can also find something for an eager child who didn't win an award.
Official race times for the 1.75 mile race will be posted on the Results page.
Additional "spirit of the race" awards may be given for noteworthy costumes, dramatic finishes, or impressive feats.
The race director really hopes to have a unicycle complete the full course one day. Note that the majority of the course is on rocky, packed dirt, with some steep hills. Anyone willing to engineer an approved unique mode of transport may register for free. Non-traditional racers may be eligible for "style" awards at the judges' discretion.
REFRESHMENTS:
We will have 2 water stops on the course, but the looped course allows for three passes by a water stop. Water stops will also have bowls of water for dogs.
Post-race, you can enjoy complimentary Italian ice, watermelon, bananas, and pretzels.
DOG-FRIENDLY CAMPUS:
Runners may race with leashed dogs. If bringing your furry friend, we require that you contact the race director (click the Questions button below) to send proof of their up-to-date vaccinations.
BATHROOMS
We will have two indoor single-use bathrooms available in our Dining Hall, right next to registration and the Start and Finish.
COURSE
This is a challenging 1.75 mile course around our campus. The majority of the course is on packed, rocky dirt paths (affectionately known as "The Murphy Highway"), with some short parts of pavement, including a fast downhill on River Rd, and some brief stretches of grass. While there are many hills, we have a fast downhill finish.
Envision yourself getting a personal record as you check out a run-through of the course
VOLUNTEERS
Want to participate but don't want to be in the race? We can always use extra course monitors, timers, and cheer squad members! Click "Questions" below to contact the race director to see how you can get involved.
FRANKLIN ACADEMY MISSION STATEMENT
Franklin Academy creates a community-focused boarding and day school where students with unique learning styles develop and strengthen academic and social competencies vital to the pursuit of college goals, professional aspirations, and fulfilling lives.
To fulfill this mission:
Students belong to a school community where you feel safe, connected, understood, and supported.
Students grow into independent, responsible young adults ready to pursue your interests and passions.
Alumni succeed because you understand your own strengths and challenges, are able to self-advocate, and have the skills necessary to move ahead as life-long learners.
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