Do It For The Kids: Harwich Port Race Raises Money For Children’s Hospitals

HARWICH PORT – About 70 people ran five kilometers around Harwich last Saturday morning to raise thousands of dollars for two children’s hospitals.

Rob Hennemuth and his family first organized the 5K for the Children in 2023 to benefit Shriners Children's and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Last year’s event raised $10,000, while this year’s proceeds were expected to be in the same vicinity. 

“I retired and decided I wanted to give back to the community, and this is one way to do it,” Hennemuth said Saturday before the race.  

Runners took off from a starting line inside the parking lot on Schoolhouse Road — a fitting location, perhaps, given the event’s mission. Sponsoring the race in its third year were several local businesses and organizations, whom Hennemuth said are “invested in it.” 

And the children’s hospitals the event supports may not be tied directly to Cape Cod, but Hennemuth said he hears the many personal stories about them at the 5K for the Children.

“This stuff happens everywhere,” he said.