GEF5K
The GEF5K is an event that is held annually in Glastonbury, Connecticut. The route begins at Hubbard Green and continues through the Buttonball neighborhood in Glastonbury, before returning to the Hubbard Green. The race and course is certified and sanctioned by the USA Track & Field, and is a qualifying race for the Manchester Road Race.
The annual run/walk supports the Glastonbury Education Foundation’s ability to fund programs, projects and initiatives that elevate the educational experience of Glastonbury’s citizens.
The GEF5K was conceived in 2009 as the Bill Landers Building Bridges Memorial 5K, or the “BL5K,” in honor of Bill Landers, a former Foundation Board member who passed away in 2008. The race was rebranded as the GEF5K in 2023.
Glastonbury School Spirit Award
Each year, the Foundation awards a School Spirit Award to the school or core that pre-registers the most runners for the GEF5K, as a percentage of their population. The winner of the 2026 School Spirit Award is Nayaug Elementary School! Nayaug will receive a $250 check and an engraved plaque for the coming school year.
PREVIOUS SCHOOL SPIRIT AWARD WINNERS:
2026 Winner: Nayaug Elementary School
2025 Winner: Hebron Avenue Elementary School
2024 Winner: Naubuc Elementary School
2023 Winner: Hopewell Elementary School
2022 Winner: Hebron Avenue Elementary School
2021 Winner: Buttonball Lane Elementary School
2019 Winner: Buttonball Lane Elementary School
2018 Winner: Eastbury Elementary School
2017 Winner: Buttonball Lane Elementary School
2016 Winner: Buttonball Lane Elementary School
2015 Winner: Hebron Avenue Elementary School
2014 Winner: Hebron Avenue Elementary School
2013 Winner: Hebron Avenue Elementary School
2012 Winner: Hebron Avenue Elementary School
Scholarship Information
The Foundation began awarding scholarships to graduating seniors at Glastonbury High School in 2009, following the success of the first BL5K.
The GEF awards scholarships to two graduating seniors who meet the following criteria:
- Are above average students
- Show financial need
- Have committed to attending a four year college in Connecticut
The recipients are chosen by the GHS Guidance Department. Application forms are available in the Glastonbury High School guidance office in the spring. The scholarships are given at the Awards Night Ceremony in late May/early June.
Past Scholarship Recipients:
2026 – Samuel Palomino and Marileidy Estevez Ortiz
2025 – Jean Lee and Nana Yeboah
2024 – Nora Karacica and Luis Zotaj
2023 – Marissa Vicente Montalvo and Wendy Chen
2022 – Anastasia Andriyashko and Olivia Santostefano
2021 – Rosemarie LaChance
2020 – Shannon Gellner and John Welsh
2019 – Ashley Palomino and Kacey Rolfe
2018 – Olivia Mott and Rusul Alassal
2017 – Macayla Cody and Bishal Tamang
2016 – Vaishali Belamkar and Jason Bouchard
2015 – Tucker Hutchinson and Katherine Palomino
2014 – David Brunner and Kaitlyn Oberndorfer
2013 – Dustin Cooley and Briana Tucker
2012 – Rebecca Rubino and Spencer Chester
2011 – Alexis Gokey and Anhor Salih
2010 – Lauren Fahey and Kenneth Waszynski
2009 – Chelsea Curreri