An inaugural 5K Run and 1 Mile Family will be sponsored by the Mapleton Education Foundation to raise funds for the newly created Elaine T. Valente Scholarship fund. Money raised from the event will be used to assist students in the Mapleton School District (Adams District 1).

The idea was initiated as a way to honor the recently deceased Adams County commissioner and as a way to generate scholarship money for the students. Elaine Valente was first elected Adams County commissioner in 1988 becoming the first woman elected to the position. She subsequently served 16 years, longer than any previous commissioner had and longer than any future commissioner will due to term limits. Valente graduated from Mapleton high school in 1959 as a member of the first full class to go through Mapleton. In addition to commissioner, Valente served on numerous boards and commissions including educational committees.

The Mapleton Education Foundation supports students in the Mapleton school district, one of the smallest districts in the region and one that has many underprivileged children. Funds from the foundation have gone to help college bound students from the district as well as support learning programs initiated by teachers in the cash strapped district that fall outside the budget. The details of the newly created Elaine T. Valente scholarship fund have not been finalized. One of the remaining decisions for it is whether there will be one large annual scholarship or multiple smaller ones.

Set for May 10 at 9:30 AM, the race will appropriately be at the Elaine T. Valente Open Space on 104 th Ave. Entrance fees range from fifteen to thirty dollars and include snacks and T-shirts.