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Jamie’s 5k Run For The Library will be Sept. 22. There is a 5K, mile and free 100-yard dash for kids ages 2-8. Proceeds benefit the North Castle Public Library.
The third edition of the race was named after Love, a former Byram Hills cross country runner who died in February. The 20-year-old was a student at the University of Vermont when he died from an irregular heartbeat. Shortly after Love died, race director Sean Ryan approached Love’s parents about naming the race after their son, and they agreed.
“It’s a very good match,’’ Ryan said. “The Byram Hills cross country team and their coach, Greg Govan, have been involved with this race all along. Jamie even ran in the predecessor race. He was also a very avid user of the library, from the children’s programming right on through until he graduated. He was an unbelievably committed young man. It was a nice fit.”
Ryan’s son ran with Love on the Byram Hills cross country team. Love’s former teammates and current runners at Byram Hills set out almost immediately after Love’s death to create something in his memory. With the Armonk race already on the calendar, there was no need to establish a new event.
“We already had something with some level of momentum,’’ Ryan said. “We could easily re-name it. It’s a tremendous matchup between Jamie and the race. It was even more of a match because of how much Jamie loved the library.”
Having Love’s name attached to the event seems to have generated attention for the race. Ryan said pre-registered runners are triple the figure from 2012.
“I know a lot of his family and friends will be coming,’’ Ryan said. “He was an integral part of our community. We want to make sure he gets the honor he deserves. I think his family understands how much he touched everybody.”
The race is run in conjunction with the Armonk Outdoor Art Show. The 5k starts at 11 a.m. THE GYM, one of many race sponsors, will offer pre-race stretching at 9:45 a.m. The kids run starts at 10 a.m. and the Monet Mile starts at 10:15 a.m. The start, finish and race day registration will be at Wampus Brook Park. Runners can pre-register online.
“There are so many people who have volunteered to help because they want to be a part of honoring Jamie,’’ Ryan said. “The community has responded in a very positive way because he touched so many people.”
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