NorthStar Soccer players
NorthStar Soccer players pose for a picture at the 2014 fall preseason camp at McLendon Park. Photo courtesy of Val Peterson.
12th Annual Shake and Bake 5K
Benefiting NorthStar Soccer Club
Aug. 1, 8 a.m.
Town of Mt Laurel
5 Mt Laurel Ave.
$25 pre-registration, $30 on race day
Take a break from the summer heat with a shady morning run in Mt Laurel. The 2015 Shake and Bake 5K returns Aug. 1, and race proceeds will once again benefit the NorthStar Soccer Club.
Race director Bill Kreis said Shake and Bake is a repeat supporter of the soccer club because he loves what they do. NorthStar provides affordable soccer programs and youth ministry to children ages four to 12 in West Birmingham.
“I got introduced to them about five or six years ago and saw a real need. They’re doing things that not a lot of other soccer teams are doing,” Kreis said.
NorthStar director Val Peterson said the soccer club has become a focal point for the surrounding community, and the club is planning to expand to Woodlawn through a fall soccer program at Cornerstone Elementary School.
“NorthStar is definitely like a light to that community,” Peterson said. “Our presence just as a club in that area is making a huge difference in that community.”
The club’s outreach wouldn’t be possible, Peterson said, without heavy involvement from parents as coaches and volunteers.
“The families are the backbone to why we do what we do and why we are able to do it,” Peterson said. “We have some fabulous parents.”
Shake and Bake not only provides an exciting kickoff to the fall soccer season, Peterson said it also gives NorthStar a chance to meet new donors and volunteers. NorthStar typically receives about $8,000 from the proceeds of each year’s race, but the 2014 Shake and Bake set a higher mark with $12,000 in total donations.
“Last year was an exceptional year,” Peterson said. “That just completely blew us away.”
The 12th annual race starts at 8 a.m., and there are typically between 150 and 200 runners. The course stays within the streets of Mt Laurel, so it can accommodate runners of any level.
“The race is a good race. It’s not the hardest, but it’s a good course,” Kreis said. “There’s a good bit of shade on the race, and a lot of the families will come out and support the racers along the way.”
Shake and Bake is typically tied in with Mt Laurel’s Saturday farmers markets, which Kreis said provides a good atmosphere. Sponsors and vendors will be on hand, and there are typically demonstrations of warm-ups and running techniques. Many runners choose to hang out for a while after finishing the race.
“People usually come and stay for a couple hours,” Kreis said.
Prizes will be given to the winners of each age group. Kreis said he’s also considering a special recognition for runners who completed the race with a knee or hip replacement. As a friend of several older runners and a possible future candidate for a hip replacement, Kreis knows the challenges and rewards of running with joint problems.
“You’ll get that runner’s high and it can be a way of life for some people,” Kreis said.
Entry fees are $25 until July 31 and $30 on race day. For more information, visit shakeandbake5k.com.
