Join the 17th annual ETS Firecracker 5K, which will be held June 1-15. Participants are welcome to walk, run, or ride at their own pace throughout the two-week period. Proceeds from this event will support YWCA Princeton’s mission of eliminating racism and empowering women through programs and resources that address inequity by creating opportunities for personal and professional development, wellness, and connecting with others. 

Visit https://www.ywcaprinceton.org/homepage/signature-events/5k/ to register. There is a $50 registration fee that will be built into the challenged $100 minimum fundraising goal. The YWCA Princeton’s overall goal for this year’s event is $20,000.

All registrants will have the opportunity to pick up an event T-shirt at YWCA Princeton. They will also receive a recorded video message from CEO Tay Walker on June 1. 

Awards will be given for: Fastest 5K runner, Furthest Distance Runner, Highest Individual Fundraiser, and Highest Team Fundraiser. 

Participants will receive an email invite to participate in a virtual closing ceremony, which will take place on Thursday, June 16 at 6 p.m. Awards will be announced at the ceremony. 

The ETS Firecracker 5K was initially created to support YWCA Princeton’s Bilingual Nursery School. In the years since then, all the classes in the childcare wing — now known as The Burke Foundation Early Childhood Center at YWCA Princeton — include bilingual learning. This expansion and strengthening of the curriculum is due in large part to the support from the ETS community and events like the Firecracker 5K. The goals of this year’s race in particular are about eliminating racism and empowering women.

YWCA Princeton is located at 59 Paul Robeson Place in Princeton. Learn about other programs and events at www.ywcaprinceton.org/.