Long time Mantua/Ridgelea resident, Joyce Montgomery, first had the idea of sponsoring a race to raise money for charity. Original thoughts to name it the Rocket Run, were soon change to name it after the school's mascot, a raccoon. The Mantua Kids Care Club, an afterschool service club dedicated to helping others, embraced the idea of sponsoring the race and helping with advertising and race day tasks.

That first year in 2000, with only 3 months to plan, almost 200 runners participated raising a few hundred dollars to benefit the Mantua School Care Fund, helping Mantua school families in need. When Roberta Romano, a 5th grade teacher at Mantua, was diagnosed with cancer, the idea to name the race in her honor and support Life with Cancer was launched.

Little did we know 10 years ago, 450 runners, and almost $100,000 raised, that the idea of a race for charity would continue to bring a caring community together on the same Saturday of Mother's Day weekend every year to remember a wonderful teacher, friend, wife and mother, for a wonderful cause that touches us all.

A special thank you to everyone involved in the Raccoon Run and to everyone who has sponsored and or donated to Life with Cancer in memory of Roberta Romano.

Yours in Caring,
Joyce Montgomery,
Jennifer Lewis-Cooper,
and the Mantua Kids Care Club
Raccoon Run Co-Founders