After 6 years of running through Downtown Norwich, last year’s Norwich WinterFest 5K changed course and brought racers through picturesque Mohegan Park. Despite the bitter cold temperatures, we received positive feedback about the new race route and were excited to be back in the park this year. Unfortunately, 2020 had other plans.
We regret to announce that we will not be holding the Norwich WinterFest 5K this December. With the uncertainty of outdoor event capacities and the utmost sensitivity to the needs of the community which the race is designed to support, we decided not to host an in-person event this year. We discussed our options for a virtual 5K, however, we know that many of our racers brave the cold for the experience of racing against others at an in-person event. For these reasons, we have made the difficult decision to cancel this year's 5K. While we are disappointed to be missing this year’s event, we are confident in our decision to ensure the safety of both our volunteers and racers.
The Norwich WinterFest 5K is Reliance Health’s biggest fundraiser and wellness event focused on bringing the community together to highlight the importance of whole-body health. Our sponsors have played a large part in this. Their participation rallies community engagement while ensuring there are funds available to put together a fun and safe event. Upon hearing of this year’s cancelation one of our longtime sponsors, The Leader Stores, contacted us and pledged to donate their normal sponsorship amount. We are grateful for this support and The Leader Stores ongoing commitment to the greater Norwich community.
Reliance Health staff have proven to be essential throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, offering both virtual and face-to-face support to those experiencing mental health conditions. Although we will not be able to bring the community together for this event, know that we are still here, working to enhance health through mental wellness. We look forward to bringing the race back next year and welcome any suggestions you may have to ensure a successful event in 2021!
Can’t wait for next year to get your WinterFest gear? Click here to contact us if you would be interested in purchasing a Norwich WinterFest 5K hoodie, magnet, or racing shirt from prior years.