^{Youth runners smile with their medals at the 10th annual Splash Path 5K and Fun Walk, held at Pathfinder Village on May 20. (Photo provided)}

Splash Path 5K a Colorful Success, Raises $30K

EDMESTON

For a decade, Pathfinder Village’s Splash Path 5K and Fun Walk has colorfully celebrated community and offered an inclusive athletic event for people of all ages and abilities. On Saturday, May 20, the color run and festival achieved a new fundraising milestone, $30,000.00, in support of the Pathfinder Produce Mobile Market and vocational programs for adults with intellectual disabilities.

“Saturday’s tenth annual event was a wonderful celebration of how the public, businesses, athletes and non-profits can collaborate to support meaningful programs and services that benefit our entire community,” said Event Chair Monica Clark. “Over the 10 years of Splash Path, we’ve invested over $160,500.00 in community-focused inclusion projects and wellness initiatives. We’re grateful to our loyal sponsors and participants who have made Splash Path such a success.”

Splash Path 5K proceeds and health-focused grants have been the chief revenue sources for Pathfinder’s food distribution and fresh produce prescription programs to help address community health and food insecurity issues in our area. Pathfinder Produce, founded in 2013, and its Mobile Market, started in 2018, are vital microbusinesses operated through the Village’s Adult Day Services, which provide community-based training and vocational opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities throughout our area.

More than 450 runners and walkers registered for the 5K. Special recognition was paid during the color burst ceremony for sponsors, participants and volunteers who have contributed to the event’s success consistently since 2014. Recognized community sponsors included—10 Years: The Landers Family and Ryno Graphics; 9 Years: Aqua Valley, NYCM Insurance, and Gordon B. Roberts/One Group; 8 Years: The Bonadio Group, Chobani, Preferred Mutual Insurance, and Prolifiq Sign Studio.

Recognized participants included—10 Years: Nancy Knorr; 9 Years: Lucille Adsit, Angela Benson, John Knorr, and Zoe Curtis; 8 Years: Brenda Crowder, and Erin and McKenzie Stevens. Recognized volunteers included—10 Years: The Edmeston Fire Department, Monica Clark, Caprice Eckert, Lori Grace, and Paul Landers; 9 Years: Brandon Clark and Kathy Landers; 8 Years: Zoe Curtis ZUMBA Fitness.

Direct Support Professional Cheryl Winton of Pathfinder’s Adult Day Services was recognized for her outreach in working with area businesses from the communities of Edmeston, New Berlin, Sherburne, Cooperstown, Oneonta, Norwich, Hamilton, and Utica in support of the Splash Path ticket auction. Other sponsors, The Bonadio Group, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, JPMorgan, NBT Bank, NYCM Insurance, One Group, and Preferred Mutual Insurance, also provided items for the participants’ goodie bags.

Complimentary Chobani products and special 10th anniversary cupcakes from Pathfinder Bakery were served at the 5K finish line to Splash Path visitors. A custom commemorative quilt made from all prior years’ Splash Path T-shirts, created by Kathy Landers of Cooperstown, was also displayed.

Title Sponsors this year included Brown & Brown of New York and Directive IT, Oneonta.

For a complete list of event sponsors visit Pathfinder’s website at https://pathfindervillage.org.