The community event honors the late BCS teacher while raising money for borough students.
For the eighth year, dozens of Berlin students, teachers, neighbors and friends will participate in the annual Sue Cardamone 5K Scholarship run/walk.
The fundraiser, scheduled for May 10 at 7 p.m., honors the life of the late Berlin Community School health and physical education who taught in the borough for nearly 15 years.
In 2009, Cardamone, who also enlightened students of Laurel Springs Elementary School and Samuel S. Yellin Middle School in Stratford, passed away from adrenal cancer, which eventually metastasized to her lungs, after battling the disease for five years.
Since she was an avid athlete, Cardamone’s friends, families and colleagues thought an annual run, which kicked off in 2010, would be the most appropriate way to celebrate her legacy. Cardamone’s coworkers at BCS say they remember doing the Broad Street Run with Cardamone for three consecutive years.
“We had that history with her, so we wanted to continue it in some way to honor her,” said Beth Snyder, a teacher at BCS.
Aside from fitness, Cardamone’s daughter, Jennifer, says her mother encouraged students to follow their aspirations, not only in academics but in life, inspiring the scholarship portion of the run.
“We wanted to make an event where we can raise money and give back to kids, so kids in the community could follow their dreams,” Cardamone said.
The bulk of the funds go toward college scholarships for Berlin Borough residents who are seniors at Eastern Regional High School. The remaining money is given to BCS eighth graders.
Last year, the run raised nearly $7,000. Both Cardamone and Snyder say they hope to exceed that amount this year.
“A large portion of our students are from BCS, so we wanted to give them something to work toward,” Snyder said.
The run will award first, second, third and overall best to both males and females in various age groups, including 10-years-old and younger and 60-years-old and older.
Snyder says what makes the run nontraditional is its inclusion of elementary students.
“Families come out and walk together,” she said. “It’s not hugely competitive. There’s something for everyone.”
Along with friends, families and colleagues, borough residents along Blatherwick Drive partake in the event each year, as the run starts and ends at Jennifer Cardamone’s childhood home.
Cardamone said using her home as the hub of the event, which will also be the site of food vendors and music, aligns with the theme of the day.
“I think it makes it more of an intimate event,” she said. “More of a community event to recognize Sue Cardamone and what she did for the community.”
Although the decade of 5K runs unfolds in the wooded areas of Berlin, the event has touched people across the country.
Relatives fly from Colorado and other corners of the United States to the borough every year just to honor Sue.
Snyder and Cardamone say they often see strangers in random regions — even as far as Hawaii — proudly wearing the iconic Sue Cardamone 5K shirts, which simply serves as a testimony to the commemorated BCS educator.
“She was just an advocate for following your dreams just doing what you want to do in life,” Cardamone said.
Information:
Location: 33 Blatherwick Drive, Berlin
Distance: 5K run/1 mile walk
Date: Thursday, May 10 at 7 p.m.
Pre-race registration/packet pick-up: Wednesday, May 9 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Berlin Community School Gym
Pre-race registration/packet pick-up: 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Race day registration price: $30 for adults and students. Go to http://runtheday.com/race/suecardamone8 to register.
Adult registration: From April 16 and May 1, the cost is $20. From May 1 to May 7, the cost is $25. Child registration: From April 16 and May 1, the cost is $17. From May 1 to May 7, the cost is $23. For more information email Beth Snyder at [email protected].
