After a rainy Friday night, the sun was out on a brisk 47-degree Saturday morning as the Gloucester Township Day Scholarship Committee hosted the 15th annual 5K and 1-mile run/walk at the Lt. Col. Samuel M. Siler Veterans Memorial Park on Chews Landing Road.

The 3.1-mile sanctioned run helped raise money for the Scholarship Committee, which provides scholarship money to high school seniors in the township. The scholarship drawing will take place on Monday before the council meeting in the Municipal Hall, awarding 40 $1,000 scholarships.

Registration began at 8:30 a.m. in the Gloucester Township Senior Citizens Building. The 1-mile fun run/walk, which comprised of three loops around Veterans Park began at 9 a.m , while the 5K run, designed for the most serious of runners, took off at 9:30 a.m..

Participants received a T-shirt and an assigned number when they registered. A disposable timing chip was found on the back of the assigned numbers, allowing the computer sports-timing website, Lin-Mark.com, to track the event. Race day results were posted afterward.

Awards were given out to the first Gloucester Township resident, first parent and child duo and the first female and male finishers. After the race, everyone that competed received a continental breakfast that including bananas, oranges, juice and a variety of bagels. Heartland Rehabilitation Services provided runners with stretching tips and answered questions regarding injuries and other physical conditions.

Seventy preregistered for the event, but a total of 104 participated in the 5K run. The Highland Regional High School girls' track team was among those running the race.

“I think it’s great, being able to give back to the community and doing what I love at the same time,” said Sarah Dziunycz, a member of the team.

The race, certified by USA Track & Field, started on Chews Landing Road, went along Holbert Drive, onto Kelly Drivers Lane and Hider Lane, before finishing up in front of the Senior Citizens Building, across from Veterans Park.

Gloucester Township Mayor David R. Mayer didn’t race, but was on hand to give praise to the scholarship committee.

“It’s a great event and a proud tradition because we’re helping young students advance their education,” said Mayer.

Since its inception 25 years ago, the Gloucester Township Day Scholarship Committee has provided $750,000 in scholarship money to students.

View the race results here.