Strides for Scholars 5K returns to Panama City to benefit school programs. How to sign up

Ebonee Burrell, The News Herald
·3 min read

PANAMA CITY — The Bay Education Foundation is calling all runners, walkers and pets to participate in its annual Strides for Scholars 5K race and fun run.

The fun run kicks off the event Feb. 18 at 9 a.m. and is geared toward youth runners, followed by the 5K race at 9:15 a.m. in the parking lot of the Trinity Lutheran Church, 1001 W. 11th St. in Panama City. Entry fee for runners is $45 for adults; $20 for children under 12; $5 for pets; and $20 for Bay District Schools students, teachers and staff. Registration is now open through Feb. 18 online at www.RunSignUp.com.

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Now in its 11th year, Strides for Scholars is a fundraising event designed to promote fitness and fellowship and benefit the programs of the Bay Education Foundation — a nonprofit organization that works with Bay District Schools to promote and support education across the county.

The 11th annual Strides for Scholars 5K race will be held Feb. 18 at 9 a.m. starting at the Trinity Lutheran Church on 11th Street.
The 11th annual Strides for Scholars 5K race will be held Feb. 18 at 9 a.m. starting at the Trinity Lutheran Church on 11th Street.

Executive Director Kelly Langenberg said this is one of three annual events the Bay Education Foundation hosts to help raise funds for school programs. Other fundraising events include Arts Alive in the spring and the Golf Fore Education tournament in the fall.

“We like to think of this as a community event because there’s a lot of fellowships that are involved during the event, and it helps build our community,” Langenberg said. “This race isn't just for our schools to be involved, but the community as well.”

Ahead of the race, t-shirts, racing bibs and pet bandanas can be picked up during pre-registration Feb. 17 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Nelson Administration Building, 1311 Balboa Ave., or the day of the event at Trinity Lutheran Church.

Light refreshments will be provided for participants along with support from the Southport Elementary School Pep Squad. In addition, masseuses from the Peace and Serenity Wellness Center in Lynn Haven will provide massages to anyone interested before or after the race.

An award ceremony will take place immediately after the race. First and second place will be awarded, as well as the 5K top 10 male and top 10 female runners, and all fun run participants.

A look into the Strides for Scholars 5K course map.
A look into the Strides for Scholars 5K course map.

Langenberg added that the school that has the most registered participants will receive a $1,000 grant from the foundation.

“We have a friendly competition between the schools building and we want to encourage people to come out to support the foundation because we can really do a lot with the funds that we raise from this race,” she said. "All of what we make goes back into the students, teachers and the schools."

The 11th annual Strides for Scholars 5K race will be held Feb. 18 at 9 a.m. starting at the Trinity Lutheran Church on 11th Street.
The 11th annual Strides for Scholars 5K race will be held Feb. 18 at 9 a.m. starting at the Trinity Lutheran Church on 11th Street.

All proceeds will benefit the foundation's programs, including the Take Stock In Children scholarship and mentoring program for local kids, Grants for Great Ideas for teachers, the Greener Grass Employee Tuition Assistance and Excellence in Education.

This is year's race is sponsored by Panama City's D.R. Horton, Encompass Health and Berg Pipe. For more information about the Strides for Scholars event, visit BayEducationFoundation.org.

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Strides for Scholars 5K race returns for 11th year in Panama City