Toys for Tots Airport Run raises money to help local kids

ARLINGTON — The seventh annual Toys for Tots Airport run is set for Dec. 8 at the Arlington Municipal Airport, with the race beginning at 11 a.m., and aims to raise money for the nonprofit organization Toys for Tots.

ARLINGTON — The seventh annual Toys for Tots Airport run is set for Dec. 8 at the Arlington Municipal Airport, with the race beginning at 11 a.m., and aims to raise money for the nonprofit organization Toys for Tots.

In 2010, the race boasted just under 300 runners and raised nearly $4,000 for Toys for Tots. Arlington Runners Club President Jon Hatfield hoped to break the 300 runner barrier and in 2011 the race had  298 runners signed up for the event.

“Once again I’d like to see if we can break the 300 barrier,” he said. The Arlington Runners Club ordered 325 T-shirts and hopes to run out.

Registration is open now and dozens of people have already been preregistered.

“If you’re not, you should preregister and take advantage of the $5 savings for preregistering as well as reserving a shirt in the correct size,” said Hatfield. “I’m really working to get the number of people to cross the finish line over 300 people. I’ve ordered 325 shirts already and we have no idea how many people are going to show up for the event so it’s a very good idea to preregister so you get a race shirt.”

Race preregistration begins at 9:45 a.m.

The race will have a staggered start this year with the 10-kilometer runners getting a 10-minute head start on the 5-kilometer runners.

There are trophies for the first place men’s and women’s for the 5-kilometer and 10-kilometer events, as well as first, second and third place ribbons for men’s and women’s age categories in 10-year increments.

“I expect we will start handing out the awards about noon for the 5k finishers and shortly after those awards are handed out we’ll have completed enough of the 10k race to start handing out the 10k awards,” said Hatfield. “It’s very exciting and even more so knowing you’re helping out such a great organization like Toys for Tots, knowing that the money we raise will mean a toy in the hands of local kids.”

The race is sponsored by several local businesses and organizations as well.

“We have some great sponsors to help us provide shirts and awards we will be handing out on race day. Without sponsorships we wouldn’t be able to donate 100 percent of the registration fees to these charities,” said Hatfield. “I would like to thank our diamond level sponsor Calvary Arlington Church; our gold level sponsors Puget Sound Energy, Granroth Agency and MountainCrest Credit Union; as well as our new silver level sponsor Paraiso Mexican Restaurant.”

Registration for the race is $15 for preregistration and $20 for the day of the race.