The friends and family of Colleen Ritzer have created this walk/run as a way to celebrate Colleen’s life and her commitment to help and inspire others. We are hoping to enhance a sense of community and overall goodwill as we come together to commemorate Colleen and the values she lived by.
The course is certified by USA Track and Field. All runners and walkers will be timed. Our race follows the pulse start model.
The Step Up for Colleen 5K winds through the characteristically New England streets and parks of Andover, Massachusetts.
The race starts on Bartlet Street, at the parking lot right before Andover Town Hall. Runners proceed up Bartlet Street and through the parking lot to the right of the Philips Academy Chapel. The route then takes a left on Chapel Avenue past the Andover Inn and stay right at the circle. Runners will then enter the scenic bird sanctuary on Philips Academy’s campus through the front gate and staying to the right at the first intersection in the sanctuary. The course will then wind to the left, travel uphill and come through a clearing past the log cabin. Runners will go to the right and exit the bird sanctuary through the gate and then take a left onto Highland Road. Runners will follow Highland Road and then take a left onto Summer Street followed by a left on Stratford Street, a right onto Chestnut Street, right onto Pasho Street, left onto Summer Street and then a final left onto Whittier Street. Runners will follow Whittier Street where it will turn into Whittier Court as it crosses Chestnut Street. The course finishes on Whittier Court just before the parking lot for the Andover Town Hall.
