RP5K Runners Will Trek Along New Rocky Point Park Saturday

Warwick, RI – The Central Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce‘s annual Rocky Point 5K returns for its third year on Saturday at 10 a.m. at 155 Rocky Point Ave., moving through a now open Rocky Point Park.

Mayor Scott Avedisian, DEM Director Janet Coit and members of Rhode Island’s Congressional Delegation celebrated the park’s public debut in October 2014. Earlier that summer, about 400 runners and walkers participated in the 2014 RP5K, which ran outside part of the park that was fenced off at the time.

Katie Moulton, a track coach at Chariho High School, led the 2014 field with a time of 17:51.1, while Toll Gate teacher Norm Bouthillier completed back-to-back men’s titles at 18:08.6.

The event draws a festive crowd during the race, including costumed runners, and after the event, attendees enjoy food, music, conversation, and — most importantly for the athletes — water.

The race is sanctioned by the U.S. Track and Field Association, an honor the event scored last year, the first time such an event in Warwick Neck earned that distinction.

This year, the CVS Health Charity Classic has joined the Rocky Point 5k Run & Walk as presenting sponsor.

“The Central Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce is pleased to have CVS Health Charity Classic join us as we help to enrich and enhance our local community,” said Chamber President Lauren Slocum. “The Charity Classic is Rhode Island’s largest charitable sporting event and we are excited that we will be joining the all-star lineup of interactive activities they have created.”

WPRO News Talk 99.7 FM, National Grid, Centreville Bank, Graphic Innovations, and WebsiteDesigner.com round out the top sponsors, with Warwick Beacon, Chai Harrington Interactive, Astra Zenaca, Drip Drop and Alert Ambulance listed as “Corkscrew” sponsors for the event.

Another 15 local businesses contributed as “Scrambler” sponsors, and William J. Riley Plumbing and Heating and Kind Healthy Snack are food sponsors.

Goodwill Industries, A Wish Come True, and Coastway Community Bank are water station sponsors. Seven more businesses also signed on as “Bumper Car” sponsors.

A Wish Come True, Goodwill Industries, and the RI Center for Law and Public Policy are this year’s recipients of the proceeds from the RP5K.

Here’s a rundown of the schedule:

• Race Day Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.
• Race Starts at 10 a.m.
• Announcements & Awards – 11 a.m.

There will also be a shuttle available from the event parking area to the starting line of the race throughout the morning.

For more information on the Rocky Point 5K, including registration, sponsorships, and volunteering, visit rockypoint5k.com or call the Chamber at (401) 732-1100.