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STAR Walk, 5K Run Raises Funds For Those With Disabilities In Darien

WESTPORT, Conn. -- The not-for-profit organization STAR will be hosting its 11th Annual STAR Walk and 5K Run Sunday at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport.

Amy Dixon, CT paralympic athlete. Dixon will be at the 11th Annual STAR Walk and 5K Run to be held at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport on Sunday May 1.

Amy Dixon, CT paralympic athlete. Dixon will be at the 11th Annual STAR Walk and 5K Run to be held at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport on Sunday May 1.

Photo Credit: Contributed
James Randon, a runner at Yale University, will participate in the 11th Annual STAR Walk and 5K Run May 1 at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport.

James Randon, a runner at Yale University, will participate in the 11th Annual STAR Walk and 5K Run May 1 at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport.

Photo Credit: Contributed
Chaz Davis, runner at University of Hartford. Davis will be at the 11th Annual STAR Walk and 5K Run to be held at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport on Sunday May 1.

Chaz Davis, runner at University of Hartford. Davis will be at the 11th Annual STAR Walk and 5K Run to be held at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport on Sunday May 1.

Photo Credit: Contributed

Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the walk, which includes a 5K run option this year, will kick off at 10 a.m. with a 5K run and 1K routes suitable for any ability (walkers, strollers, wheelchairs and baby joggers are welcome).

The event raises moneu for programs serving infants, children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families in Norwalk, Westport, Weston, Wilton, New Canaan and Darien. 

The Walk, Run & Roll is a Family Fun Day that celebrates all abilities and is a major annual fundraiser to benefit programs for STAR Inc., Lighting the Way. This organization benefits people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as providing support services to their families.

The registration fee for walkers and runners is $25. Children/students younger than 18 are $15 and those younger than 5 are admitted free. A family of runners and walkers can register for $65. 

There will be demonstrations, cultural and community activities, continental breakfast and lunch, as well as the walk itself — all to benefit STAR, which is based in Norwalk.

The event will feature appearances by notable Connecticut runners, including Chaz Davis, Amy Dixon and James Randon. Davis, a paralympic athlete, was stricken with Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy that eventually led to blindness but did not cease his running or studies at the University of Hartford. Dixon, a University of Connecticut graduate, is a paratriathlete for Team USA who has done inspirational speaking and hosted conferences for the Challenged Athletes Foundation and organizations for the blind. Randon, a New Canaan native, already has shattered historic running records as a student at Yale University, breaking the four-minute mile barrier.

Participants are encouraged to set up their own fundraising team for the walk by registering here.

For more information about STAR, click here or contact Megan Johnson at 203-846-9581, Ext. 339.

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