Below is a press release for this special event, set for Saturday, October 18th.
On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!
3rd Annual Robert Cipriano Cross-Country Meet Set For October 18, 2014
DEARBORN, MI – The 2014 third annual Robert Cipriano Cross-Country Meet will get underway at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, with a one-mile run/walk for Dearborn Public Schools staff members. At 9:00 a.m., hundreds of fourth through eighth grade students will hit the course in a series of one and two mile races.
Only Dearborn Public Schools students who have pre-qualified for the run participate in the event. Parents and community members are encouraged to attend the event and cheer on the students.
The Cipriano meet will take place at Ford Field Park in Dearborn located at the corner of Brady Street and Cherry Hill Street. Parking is available on the lower level of the field near the baseball diamonds just west of Brady Street.
Once again, the district has teamed up with the Dearborn Education Foundation, the Dearborn Track Club and the City of Dearborn to coordinate the event. Last year, nearly 750 students took part and this year, if the weather is good, over 1,000 are expected participate. A brief awards ceremony will follow each race with the top 10 finishers receiving a medal.
Dearborn Public Schools students have spent the first weeks of school getting in shape and qualifying to run in the big event. Elementary qualifying time is 10 minutes for 1 mile (both boys and girls) and middle school qualifying time is 20 minutes for 2 miles (both boys and girls). Teams from each elementary and middle school will compete in different races arranged by age group and gender. All runners will receive a ribbon for taking part, medals will be awarded to the top 10 runners in each age group, a plaque will be awarded to each grade/gender winner, and a trophy will be presented to the top elementary and middle school team.
“It’s heartwarming to see the number of families and Dearborn Schools employees who make it a priority to participate in this run which is a healthy way to honor Bob Cipriano, a great man who made running a big part of his life,” commented Dearborn Public Schools Superintendent, Mr. Brian Whiston.
The yearly event honors Mr. Robert Cipriano, former Director of Business Services for the Dearborn Public Schools who also oversaw athletics in the district. His life tragically ended in April, 2012 when two young men broke into his home and attacked his family.