19th Annual Safe Passage 5K – Virtual Event

19th Annual Safe Passage 5K – Virtual Event

2023 marks our 19th Annual Safe Passage 5K, raising funds to support our school in Guatemala. The race will be held virtually from September 23rd-October 1st, 2023. 

Check out some highlights from our 2022, 2021 and 2020 Virtual Events!

Our 2023 Fundraising Goal: $40,000 

The realities of the pandemic hit our community hard. After nearly 2 years of remote learning (mandated by the Guatemalan Ministry of Education), followed by another year of hybrid, part-time on campus learning in 2022, we have now reopened for students in 2023 on a full-time basis.  

Health screenings and educational assessments of our students, returning after the pandemic, showed that there is much work to be done, both academically and socio-emotionally. Over 40% of our students tested as underweight and/or malnourished, compared to less than 10% in 2019. While this statistic is still lower than the national average in Guatemala, it is much higher than we would like, given our efforts to lower it prior to the pandemic and to provide security to our families over the last several years. 

This year 413,485 healthy and nutrient-rich snacks and meals will be served on campus across all grade levels. Your support will help to provide necessary resources towards these nutritional needs and to continue addressing academic recovery. 

What is Safe Passage?

Safe Passage, founded in 1999 by Yarmouth, ME native, Hanley Denning (an alum of Greely High School and Bowdoin College), is a K-9th grade school providing comprehensive education, health, and enrichment programs to over 500 students and 300 families living in extreme poverty in the community surrounding the Guatemala City garbage dump. 

Registration Fees:

• Adults:  $25 
• Students: $12
• Families: $65 for family of four, plus $12 per additional student or $25 per additional adult

*If you are located in Guatemala, please contact Karla Subuyuj at karla@safepassage.org to register for this event!

Want to help us spread the word about this Virtual Event? Download and share our race poster or flyers!

T-shirts:  

Everyone within the U.S. and Guatemala will receive a free t-shirt. Unfortunately, folks outside these areas may be asked to cover the cost of shipping (due to high shipping rates). 

If you register by August 1st, we will try our very best to ship your tee in time for you to have it before the event. 

Every registration requires a home address and a t-shirt size. We will either hand deliver t-shirts to local participants or ship to those runners who live outside of the area. Registrants after August 1st may receive t-shirts after the event is complete (depending on date of registration and supply of shirt sizes).

*Tees are available in Unisex and Youth sizes this year. Please note that the tees will be cotton and tend to run more similar to men's sizing, so please choose sizing accordingly. In the event that we run out of a requested size, we will reach out via email with other sizing options available.*

While you are racing…

We would LOVE to see your photos and video from your run/walk or however you plan to participate! Please share them either by emailing to info@safepassage.org or click on the "more" tab at the top of the page (while logged into your RunSignUp account), then click "photos" and select the correct race year to upload and share.  

Event Schedule

August 29th/30th:  T-shirts will be shipped for all runners who registered by August 1st.

September 23rd - October 1st, 2023:  Run, walk, bike - complete your race, your way!

September 23rd - October 1st, 2023: We would love to see photos from your virtual race!  To submit photos or selfies, sign into your RunSignUp.com account, open the race page, and click on “More – Photos” at the top. Then click on your photo album to upload and share your race photos! Having trouble or have questions? Email us at info@safepassage.org and we are happy to help or upload them for you!

October 1st, 2023: Virtual 5K Race Wrap-up! Join us online as we thank supporters, announce fundraiser prizes and for the final tally of funds raised!!

Late October:  T-shirts will be delivered for all runners who registered late or who live outside of the U.S. 

*Please understand that we are a small team and due to timing of your registration, processing, shipping time, etc. we cannot always guarantee you will receive your t-shirt before the event. We do our very best to get the tees to you prior to the race, but appreciate your patience with us.* 

Fundraising and Donations

All participants are encouraged to raise funds to benefit Safe Passage programs in Guatemala City. Set up a peer-to-peer fundraising page when you register and you can share your Safe Passage connection and stories with friends and family via social media or email!

What kind of impact can a single gift make?

A gift of $10 pays for 3 student's meals for one day on campus.

A gift of $25 is the equivalent of a student's classroom supplies for over a week (IE. worksheets, pencils, crayons, etc).

A gift of $75 covers the cost of food and preparation for 25 student's meals for a day on campus.

A gift of $100 can provide a student with roughly 1 month of support from our social services team. 

Create your own fundraiser through RunSignUp today!! 

Sponsorship

Muchas gracias to our 2023 race sponsors! 

Fiesta Sponsors ($1000+)

Coffee By Design, Holman Homes, Maine Medical Partners, Wells Fargo Advisors - Rob Donovan

Leadership Sponsors ($500+)

Atlantic Physical Therapy, Cumberland Crossing by OceanView, Edison Press

Esperanza Sponsors ($250+)

Bath Savings Institution, Casco Bay Ford, Clark Insurance, Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution, Sevee & Maher Engineers, Skillins Greenhouses

Would you like to sign up to sponsor our virtual event?

Download a copy of our 2023 Sponsor Packet and check out all the benefits to being a race sponsor! Just complete and return it to us via email (prior to August 1st) at info@safepassage.org, or to our U.S. office at: Safe Passage,  49 Farm View Dr. Suite 302, New Gloucester, ME 04260. 

Want to connect with other runners? Join the Safe Passage 5K community on Facebook.

Check out a previous year's article in the Falmouth Forecaster:

Safe Passage turns 20: Guatemala aid organization marks milestone with global virtual 5K.