Marblehead Dollars for Scholars held its 11th annual Run for the Fund 5K run/walk event at Devereux Beach last weekend.
Participants and attendees of all ages took part in the event, said Jennie Sheridan, race director and Marblehead Dollars for Scholars board member.
Sheridan said more than 125 people registered for the event this year, and the turnout was in line with what they had seen in prior years.
“I think the weather was good for us,” Sheridan said, adding that a lot of people registered in person before the event’s start.
Board of Directors member Karen Pierce said the event was started by then-high school senior Henry Pratt, with the main goal being “to support recipients of our scholarships who qualify for financial assistance for college,” Pierce said.
In an email to The Weekly News, Pierce said the event was “another amazing success” and noted its wide range of participants — “young children running with parents, parents pushing strollers, walkers, the high school cross country team with their coach, and, of course, runners,” Pierce said. “It was a spectacular morning filled with smiles, laughter, and enthusiasm.”
“We get this really great mix of people from the community that come out and support the organization, which I love,” Sheridan said. “It’s just a really nice community event that touches all age groups.”
In addition to the Run for the Fund 5K run/walk event, Sheridan said Marblehead Dollars for Scholars also engages in other activities throughout the year. Sheridan serves on the committee that, in the late spring, reviews applications from graduating seniors who are seeking scholarships for college.
Sheridan also said there is an Advanced Standing Committee, which helps with scholarships for students currently enrolled in colleges, who can apply for funding for their sophomore, junior, and senior years.
“Our primary mission and purpose is to provide need-based scholarships to Marblehead students,” Sheridan said, adding that applicants can be either Marblehead High School students or students of another high school, as long as they are residents of Marblehead.
Sheridan said the organization is also involved with the Marblehead Road Race series, which will hold events through Nov. 3, with the next event being the Miles for Mary 5K, which aims to raise funds for brain cancer research.