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One of the sure signs of spring and that COVID-19 concerns have abated is the return of 5K/fun walks to raise money for various causes.

Bath Elementary School is sponsoring the second Leigh Swain Memorial race/walk Saturday, March 12^th to raise funds for a running trail around the campus.

The event is named for BES alumnae Leigh Swain, whose husband Brian also went to school there and came back to serve 30 years as a teacher, coach, assistant principal and principal until his retirement.

“Brian was an amazing leader and mentor for our students and Leigh worked across the street at the Bath Historic site until she got sick,” current Bath Elementary principal Charles Clark said. “They were both part of our school community and she left us way too soon from cancer, so we thought we would do something to honor her memory.”

The first race was in 2019 before COVID-19 put most activities on pause. Funds raised will go toward constructing a one-mile walking/running path around the campus that the students will use during the day and the running club will practice on after school.

The path will be open to the public after school hours. The surface will be made from recycled rubber, similar to area high school tracks.

“We’ll use it during P.E. and our kids who are preparing for cross country and track in high school will also benefit from it,” Clark said. “We want this to be a partnership between the school and community to promote exercise and healthy habits.”

The one mile fun walk starts at 9 a.m. at the school, while the 5K run starts at 10. Register online at runsignup.com and click through to the Leigh Swain Memorial Race.