Wawaka Lake 5K Run and Walk Set For Aug. 23

HALCOTTSVILLE — There’s still time to sign up for the 12th annual Wawaka Lake 5K Run and Walk in Halcottsville, set for Saturday, Aug. 23 starting at 9 a.m.

Pre-race registration is $25 for adults ($30 on race day until 8:30 a.m.) and $15 for ages 8-12 ($20 on race day. Participants ages seven participate for free in the Kids’ Dash. To register online, visit raceroster.com and search for Wawaka Lake 5K. For additional information, please contact Kathy Johnson at 845 586-2605 or Christy Goodell at 845 594-3486.

To date, nearly 100 participants have registered for this year’s run/walk. It’s hoped that the 2025 event will surpass the record 140 signups set last year.

There are 52 business and individual sponsors helping to support the event. Among those, 15 Platinum Sponsors have contributed $250 or more. These include: the Sprague Family, Brendan Maloney – Giving Ducks, Wadler Bros., Margaretville Fire Department, Margaretville Telephone Company, Titan Well Drilling, Susan’s Pleasant Pheasant Farm, WMC Health, Cole & Griffin Construction, Decker Advertising, Rendler Landscaping, LaRosa, Plattekill Mountain, Ballard’s Honey, and M&M Motors.

Proceeds from the event, which is open to all ages, are donated to various causes. This year, funds from registration fees and sponsorships will be contributed to establishing the William “Billy” Sprague Scholarship Fund. A beloved community member, Bill served as the Town of Roxbury Superintendent of Highways until he passed away last January at age 50, following a short illness.

The Roxbury native was a longtime public servant. He started his career with the Roxbury Highway Department in October 1999 and was appointed Deputy Superintendent of Highways in January 2008. He served in that capacity until taking over as Superintendent of Highways in January 2020. In addition, Bill served as treasurer of the Delaware County Highway Superintendent Association.

When deciding how to utilize funds from this year’s event, organizers agreed that establishing the William “Billy” Sprague Scholarship Fund would be a fitting tribute to a dedicated public servant. The scholarship award will be presented to Roxbury Central School graduating senior and/or someone graduating with high honors from the Equipment Operation and Repair program at NCOC BOCES. It is the hope of the Wawaka Lake 5K sponsors that donations will allow this to be an annual award. Anyone who isn’t able to participate in the 5K and wants to donate to the scholarship fund should send a check to: HFD (Memo: Billy Sprague Scholarship Fund), PO Box 97, Halcottsville, NY 12438.

The entry fee also entitles race entrants to a post-event breakfast. The annual meal at the Halcottsville Fire Department is open to the public with a freewill donation added to the race proceeds.