Franklin Academy 6th Annual Double Helix 1.75 Mile Race

RACE HISTORY: Franklin Academy students have participated in local 5Ks for over a decade. During the 2020-2021 school year, when off-campus trips were paused, we brought the race to our campus! With the 1st annual race day set on April 25, we realized this was National DNA Day . It was the perfect quirky holiday to celebrate. We designed a weaving, double helix-inspired two challenging loops around our campus, with science facts peppered around the course. With reused trophies generously donated by members of the Run 169 Society , we celebrated in style. The successful event has since returned by popular demand each year. While most run or walk, our creative and fun students and faculty have brought traditions of racing in non-traditional modes (piggybacking, biking, being carried by kayak, or walking on stilts). We embrace and encourage this fun! The 1.75 mile course has remained a constant, though we have moved the date to May. We continue the tradition of gathering reused trophies throughout the year and regifting them to course winners. For the first four years, this was a private event for our Franklin Academy community (although local legend and two-time 169 Queen Maureen Gillis, who just can't resist a race, has been known to sneak in...). But in 2025, we opened our campus to the larger world to share how awesome Franklin Academy is! The event is rain or shine! DAY-OF REGISTRATION: While we prefer pre-registration to allow us to properly sync bibs with names, we will allow in-person registration beginning at 1 pm on the day of the race for $25, paid in cash (preferred) or by credit card. PARKING & DIRECTIONS: Use the Pond House/Dining Hall entrance. In a GPS this is 100 River Rd, East Haddam, CT. Signs and parking attendants will guide you. Please follow parking signs. Please avoid using the main Franklin Academy entrance. If coming from the Chester Ferry (which makes for a beautiful and memorable trip): After passing the entrance to Gillette Castle,