NEWTON GROVE — Students and community supporters from Hobbton High School (HHS) are looking forward to one of biggest fundraisers of the year.

The 8th annual Hobbton Wildcat 5K is scheduled for Saturday, May 6, at HHS, 12201 Hobbton Hwy., Newton Grove. Registration is scheduled for 8 a.m. and the race is set to begin at 9 a.m.

Proceeds will benefit the the HHS Cross Country and Track & Field teams. The entry fees for students ages 6 to 17 is $15; $20 for adults before May 5; and $30 for adults on the day of the race. Children under 6 may participate for free. T-shirts are only guaranteed with early registration. Additional shirts will be distributed on a first-come first-served basis.

Race Director Amanda Bradshaw and Athletic Director Jeffrey Klaves is looking to the event. During the year, the team faces challenges such as traveling to other schools for practice or registering for events. HHS does not have a track and field facility. Klaves said traveling comes with a lot of costs for gas.

“The 5K has been instrumental for receiving funds to get to meets,” Klaves said.

The fee for one meet is about $500, which does not include costs for meals. Parents and community supporters usually assist with providing food.

The 5K will include a flat cross country course with grass, dirt, and gravel trails. A route loops around the HHS Athletic Complex and through the cross country/nature trail. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place participants in different age categories.

“It’s going to be an energetic and exciting morning,” Klaves noted. “It’s a great way to start the day.”

Klaves and Bradshaw expressed that participants and families may also bring their pets to the 5K.

This year marks his seventh year with the 5K. With experience being the co-director for Clinton’s Downtown Dash, Bradshaw will transition into the new director for the HHS 5K.

“I’m excited to be given the opportunity to carry on the torch for the Hobbton Wildcats,” she said.

Bradshaw said Klaves has been a valuable asset for the race and looks forward to working with him in the future to raise money for HHS.

“It’s very important for us to support our local schools,” Bradshaw said.

During the 5K, the HHS women’s soccer team will also accept donations of new and used soccer gear on behalf of Dale Lari. Some of the items ma include soccer clothes, cleats and equipment. Also, T-shirts will be on sale to raise funds for the organization. Dale Lari was created in memory of Larissa Estrada, a youth who passed away about four years ago while attending Hobbton Middle School. The name of the organization means “Go Larissa.”

Dale Lari is also one of several sponsors for the event. The others include Sampson Surgical Services, Sumner Fitness Training & Rehabilitation, Bojangles, Golden Grove Peanut Co., Food Lion, Clinton Drug Co., Hawaiian shaved Ice and Prestage Farms.

For more information or to register, contact Bradshaw at [email protected] or Klaves at [email protected]

Registration is also available online at www.ABCSportscamps.com/hhs. A $2 fee will be added.

Dale Lari’s is currently raising funds to help a youth travel to Spain for a soccer scholarship. More information about the initiative at www.gofundme.com/claudito

Proceeds benefit track, field teams

By Chase Jordan

[email protected]