Come to Medfield on Sunday, December 7th for the best feel good 5k of the season. In its 9th annual running the Angel Run is spreading its wings! The MFi Angel Run course was recently measured and certified by the USA Track and Field Association and is now an official 5K or 3.1 miles. Previously the route measured over the race standard measurement by .1 miles. While still a fun walking event, now it carries the credentials of an official 5K.

Would you walk 3.1 miles for a neighbor in need? This is what participating in the Angel Run means. Proceeds from the race support Medfield families in times of hardship or temporary crisis. It is an especially critical time to have funds to meet those needs with the approach of winter and the holiday season. Many make this an annual family tradition as all paces, including strollers and leashed dogs (at the end of the pack please) are welcome! Don’t be surprised if you see Santa on the course.

Happily the newly-certified MFi Angel Run course is not much different from the one participants have come to know and love as an opener to the holiday season. What has changed is the starting location, which will now be at the Medfield High School (88 South Street), and the post-race party site, to be held in the nearby Blake Middle School cafeteria. Newcomers to the race will be entertained along the course with musicians, decorations and those famous inspirational quotes from the course start to its finish. Speaking of finish, what a post-party it is with everything from cake pops to calzones and hot coffee. Of course there are water stations along the route and perhaps a hot cocoa station as well given the time of year.

 “We are excited about the new location. Runners and walkers can still expect to see some of their favorite sights and signs along the course and enjoy a roomier location for the post-race party at the Blake Middle School cafeteria,” said race Co-Chair Susan Weisenfeld.

The first Angel Run was held in 2006. The Medfield Foundation took over facilitating this holiday tradition in 2011. The Angel Run had previously been organized by a group of volunteers in celebration of the life of Natasha Domeshek, a young Medfield resident who passed away in 2002. For the first eight years the race started and finished at the Ralph Wheelock School where Natasha was a student.  Relocating to Medfield’s High School/Middle School campus allowed the course to be adjusted to meet the 5K length and offered a roomier setting for start, finish and after party for the field which typically is about 1,000 runners.

 “It is one of Medfield’s best days as a community and we welcome runners from our neighboring towns to kick off the holiday season with a great race and good deed,” said Rose Colleran, race Co-Chair and local Fit Girls coach.

Register online for the MFi Angel Run 5K at www.medfieldfoundation.org. Participants registered by November 3rd will get early bird pricing and the Angel Run t-shirt.