11th Annual Jeanine Nicarico Run for Reading Expecting Largest Crowd in Race History

In the 11 years the Run for Reading has been held, more than $200,000 has been raised to help improve student literacy in area schools. This year the largest turn out in the race’s history is expected.

The Jeanine Nicarico Memorial Fund for Literacy is hosting its 11th annual 5K family run/walk on Sunday, kicking off at 7:30 a.m. at River Woods Elementary School.

The memorial fund was created after the tragic death of Jeanine Nicarico, who was 10 years old when she was abducted from her home and murdered in 1983. The race has allowed her family to honor Jeanine in a positive way, said the race’s Co-Founder Mary Barzan.

“Personally it is fulfilling for me, because I’ve grown up in this town and to be able to give back to the community, on a personal level, is very meaningful,” Barzan said. “For the [Nicarico] family to be able to give back and turn such a tragic event into something so powerful, is important for the community to see.”

Jeanine’s two sisters are very involved in planning the run and will be in attendance, Barzan said.

“We all work together to get everything set up and they have an amazing network of friends and have such an amazing support group,” she said.

So far 600 runners have registered for the race, but Barzan is hoping for 1,000 runners on the day of the race. Those who do not register in advance but want to participate may register on on the day of the race. 

A bigger turnout is expected because a committee was formed to raise the run’s profile in area schools, Barzan said. One school has a group of more than 90 people expected. The school with the biggest turnout will get a visit from a children’s literature author.

Funds raised at the race will go to the Jeanine Nicarico Memorial Fund for Literacy. The funds are distributed to schools in the form of grant funding, Barzan said. Roughly $250,000 has been given over the last 11 years. 

Since larger numbers of runners are expected this year, Barzan encourages participants to get to the school early to find parking.

“It’s wonderful to see that the race is growing because when you do these races every year it’s wonderful to see that the momentum for the race continues,” Barzan said. “And, that the funds grow and we can give back to the community.”

Find information on the race and registration. The Jeanine Nicarico Memorial Fund for Literacy 11th Annual Run for Reading will begin at 7:30 a.m. Sunday at .