GE 5K race to support Petit Family Foundation set for July 14

Saturday, July 6, 2013 10:40 PM EDT

Staff

PLAINVILLE — Despite the heat, runners, joggers and walkers are gearing up for the annual General Electric 5K Road Race. General Electric is the signature corporate sponsor supporting the event, but proceeds will benefit the non-profit Petit Family Foundation. The race is scheduled for July 14 at 9 a.m.

The course has been modified this year due to bridge construction on Stillwell Drive.

The race starts as usual right off East Street just north of its intersection with Maple St. and continues south until heading east on Stillwell Drive. But this year runners will complete two separate closed loops off Stillwell Drive, first at Pershing Drive and then at Wayne Drive. The race continues back onto Stillwell Drive, then turns north onto Laurel Court. It then proceeds east on Tomlinson Avenue to Arcadia Avenue. It continues north on Arcadia Avenue, west on Higgins Avenue, and east on Milford Street Extension. It then proceeds north on Chester Street, and finally west on Woodford Avenue to the finish line in front of the General Electric Consumer Industrial Division.

For those preferring a more leisurely pace, there will be the 1.5 mile Fitness Walk also starting at 9 a.m. Children between ages four to eight can participate in a 400-meter fun run starting on Woodford Ave. prior to the start of the 5K race. General information, course maps, available parking areas, and application forms are all available online at www.PetitRoadRace.com .

From 6:30 to 11 a.m., Woodford Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic from its intersection with Route 10 to its intersection with Linden Street. Other road closures will go into effect on the rest of Woodford Avenue, then to East Street. Police will direct motorists.

From 9 to 10 a.m., the town roads making up this course will be temporarily closed to all vehicular traffic for the safety of the race participants. Side streets off these roads will be barricaded during the race and police and volunteers will be posted throughout the course to ensure runners’ safety. A marked police car will lead the runners during the race, and there will be a trailing vehicle following the runners. Outside of an emergency, residents living on the race course must avoid driving on these particular roads during this event.