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 25+ years, the Peeper 5K has been awarding not one, not two, but THREE high school seniors with scholarships! That's right, $1,000 each for two lucky scholars and a cool $500 for a returning recipient. 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