Following the 2024 Peeper 5K, and 29 years interrupted only by a pandemic, the GBCC Board of Directors voted to transfer this event and it's associated scholarship responsibilities to the newly formed Greater Barrington Community Foundation, a 501(c)3 charitable entity serving Barrington and it's abutting towns.

As you will see from the story below, the heart of this incredibly popular spring event has always from inception been charitable.  The individuals and organizations involved with the Chamber of Commerce are among the most generous and selfless one could imagine.

This evolution allows this local Chamber of Commerce to optimize it's operations and focus on it's organizational mission to benefit it's members and the business community, while ensuring that the longstanding Peeper 5K spirit and community contribution continues hopping into the future!

Once upon a time in the quaint town of Barrington, someone had a froggy idea – a community "Peeper Festival"! And guess what? It hopped into existence in the early 1990s, giving birth to a ribbiting race that would become the talk of the town.

Picture this: Instead of people sprinting, the inaugural event featured real peeper frogs as the star athletes. Chaos? Oh, absolutely! But what's a good race without a tad bit of froggy frenzy? ️

Fast forward a couple of years, and the baton (or should we say, the frog leg?) was passed to the Greater Barrington Chamber of Commerce. They took the reins, and the race quickly evolved from a froggy affair to a human one. In the early days, runners were handed Popsicle sticks with their times on them – because why not add a cool treat to your victorious moment?

In the spirit of giving (and running), the Chamber spotted an opportunity to support the Annual High School Senior Scholarship Fund. And thus, the Peeper 5K became the superhero of scholarships, providing bright young minds with the funds to pursue their dreams.

For a whopping 29 years, the Peeper 5K has been awarding not one, not two, but FOUR community students with scholarships! That's right, $1,000 each for two lucky high school senior scholars and a cool $500 for each two returning recipients. Talk about making strides for education!

But wait, there's more! Our little Peeper grew up – it's officially sanctioned by the U.S. Track & Field Association. We've gone high-tech, hiring racing pros to manage times and even roping in local Legion members to keep racers motivated. It's not just a race; it's a spectacle!

Runners from all corners of New England gather to be a part of this hoppening event, not just for the times but for the sense of community and tradition that permeates the air. Families, individuals, schools, organizations, and local businesses – you've all contributed to the success of our Peeper, and for that, we extend a heartfelt THANK YOU!

So lace up those sneakers, dust off your amphibious spirit, and join the Peeper 5K fun! Let's make more memories, break more records, and continue leaping towards a brighter future, one Peeper at a time. #Peeper5K #HopToTheTop #RunWithFrogs