7th Annual “Run with the Rapids” 5K Race to Benefit the Downtown NF Business Association

Are you 5k ready?

The 7^th Annual “Run with the Rapids” 5K Race will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2015, in Downtown Niagara Falls, NY.  This annual race benefits the Downtown Niagara Falls Business Association (DNFBA). Race registration and the Post Race Party will be held on Old Falls Street’s Middle Block.  Check-in time is from 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. with a race start time of 9 a.m.  The Post Race Party is from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.

Because of the recent reconstruction of the Robert Moses Parkway, this year’s course will be rerouted to showcase more of the Downtown Niagara Falls area, including the Aquarium of Niagara and businesses along Third Street.  The race will start at its regular spot, on the corner of Third and Old Falls Streets, and guides participants through the recent developments in the downtown area.  Seasoned and amateur participants are encouraged to register.

 Returning this year will be chip timing by Score This.  Runners will receive electronic devices to insert in their shoes that will be able to compute finish times to thousandths of a second.

 Race registration forms are posted on www.FallsStreet.com or can be obtained by contacting Katie Kielaszek, race coordinator, at (716) 278-2100 or at FallsStreet@gmail.com.  Prepayment can be made online at www.score-this.com.  Pre-registration price for a single participant is $25 or $45 for a pair (2 people only) of runners.  Participants aged 65 and over are free, although a registration form is still needed.  Onsite race registration is $30 per person.

 The festive Post Race Party is held on Old Falls Street, USA, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.  The party features a buffet picnic, beer, soft drinks and music provided by D&B DJ & Karaoke. The party is free for paid participants and is also open to the general public with the purchase of a $10 wristband.

“This fund-raiser is the official kick-off of the 2015 Old Falls Street summer season,” said Susan Swiatkowski, DNFBA president and Old Falls Street’s marketing director.  “Visitors and residents alike will enjoy the course as it highlights the many new changes to our downtown landscape as all area businesses prepare for our busy summer season.” 

In addition to participants, the DNFBA is also looking for race volunteers.  Volunteers will help mark the intersections of the course and provide water for participants.  Those wishing to help should call (716) 278-2100.

The goal of the DNFBA is to create a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly neighborhood, with commercial, retail and residential development elements that service several market segments and ultimately result in capturing more tourist visitation to Downtown Niagara Falls.

The race is sponsored by Global Spectrum, The Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls, Old Falls Street, USA, the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, Try-It Distributing, Hard Rock Cafe – Niagara Falls, USA, the Quality Hotel & Suites, Legends Bar & Grill, the Niagara Gazette, Sheraton At The Falls, the Holiday Inn, the Comfort Inn – The Pointe, and ROAD ID.

For more information or to pre-register for the event, visit www.FallsStreet.com or follow this link:  https://reg.score-this.com/regx/step1.jsp?eventID=1447.