Fall River's Giunta 5K Road Race Raising Money for Scholarships

The Fall River Police Department is continuing a 30-year tradition of raising money for scholarships for local students.

Officer Thomas Giunta was killed in the line of duty in August 1994. Since that tragedy, the department has organized a 5K road race to honor Giunta and raise money for the scholarship program.

Lt. William Platt and Sgt. Erick Bettencourt visited Townsquare Sunday this week to preview this year's race and share how you can get involved.

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This year's 5K will be held on Sunday, October 6 starting at 10 a.m. at 320 Airport Road (in the Industrial Park) in Fall River.

"When William Platt and I joined the force, we became friends with Timmy Giunta, Officer Giunta's son, who is also on the job," Sgt. Bettencourt said.

"This was always a really cool event to watch and take part in, and hang out with our co-workers," he said. "A couple of years ago, the people who were directing the race were retiring, so rather than let the event die, we decided to step up and do what we could to keep the tradition alive."

Fall River is known as the "Scholarship City," and each year because of the Giunta 5K and other donations, the police department awards between 10 and 14 $1,000 scholarships to area students.

Registration for the Thomas J Giunta Memorial 5K Road Race can be done online at giunta5k.com and also on a Facebook page where you can register. There is a $25 registration fee.

You can also register at the Fall River Police Department at 7 p.m. on Saturday, October 5 and at the Fall River Elks Club, located at 5500 North Main Street, at 8 am on the morning of the race.

The 5K will be followed by a family-friendly after-race party at the Elk's Lodge, a short walk from the course. Awards will be presented and a DJ will entertain, along with raffles and a silent auction.

If you would like your nonprofit or charitable organization featured on Townsquare Sunday, please email the host at jim.phillips@townsquaremedia.com.