Katy's Courage 5K Returns To Sag Harbor On April 9

The return of the Katy’s Courage 5K in Sag Harbor on April 9 after the race took a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic may be another sure sign of things returning to normal.

Being that it occurs so early in the spring, the race is considered by many in the East End running circles as the unofficial start to the road racing season, which had grown considerably prior to the pandemic.

Katy’s Courage is a not-for-profit organization founded in 2012 that is dedicated to the education of children and support for families through scholarships, children’s bereavement support groups and pediatric cancer research. It was named after Katy Stewart, the daughter of Jim Stewart and Brigid Collins, who died of hepatoblastoma, a rare form of liver cancer, on December 30, 2010, at 12 years old.

Katy’s father, Jim Stewart, a coach and teacher at East Hampton High School, said the race had been one of the primary fundraisers for Katy’s Courage, but due to multiple programs, such as the skate-a-thon and all day bake sale at Buckskill Winter Club this past Saturday and the upcoming Love Bites at The Clubhouse this Saturday that benefits Katy’s Kids at the Children’s Museum of the East End, the not-for-profit has stayed afloat throughout the pandemic, and maybe even grew.

“We’ve survived,” he said. “I’d like to say we’ve thrived, despite COVID. We’re back and looking forward to a beautiful day on April 9. We’re already working on the T-shirts and various other sponsors who are coming in. We are grateful to our sponsors and all of our volunteers. And we’re also so grateful to the participants, the ones who keep showing up, especially Katy’s friends, many of whom are getting ready to graduate college now or have already graduated.”

Stewart said there will be no new wrinkles to this year’s race, which he is calling the “10th annual” since that the last race in 2019 was the ninth. He said being that it’s been two years, he and his group of volunteers didn’t want to make any drastic changes.

The 3.1-mile race begins on Water Street and follows a pretty flat course with only a few small hills and finishes next to the harbor. The race was originally organized by the East End Road and Trail Runners Club.

All participants of the race will receive a T-shirt, music will be provided by East End Entertainment and refreshments, such as hot chocolate, bagels and donuts, will all be available. Trophies are given to the top male and female finishers, which are typically local high school athletes, and the top three males and females in each age group receives medals.

Check-in for the race begins 7 a.m. the day of the race and will remain open 15 minutes prior to the 8:30 a.m. start. To register for the race, or to donate, go to katyscourage.org or elitefeats.com.