The starting buzzer rings and 250 runners race towards the finish line, marking the beginning of the Brookline High School Innovation Fund’s third annual 5K fundraiser.

The Innovation Fund, a nonprofit organization created by teachers and parents that helps create innovative classes and electives for students, held a friendly 5K race to raise money for the high school. The race started at 11 a.m. and ended roughly an hour later on Sunday, May 4, and was either free to run or cost $25. The money raised is used to create a wide range of classes that refine the student experience. The event featured lawn games, such as cornhole and a sack race and offered food from local restaurants for runners and volunteers.

Sophomore Leigh Niedeck, who volunteered at the race, said she helped during the event and with its preparation.

“I helped set up the finish line with all the flags and then also the markings on the ground,” Niedeck said. “During the race, I was around the course directing people where to go so that they wouldn’t get lost.”

Mona Mowafi, who is co-chair of the Innovation Fund, and mother to two Brookline students, said that they used a “GoFundMe model,” which gave people the option to make small donations at various points during the event. Mowafi also said the benefits the event would bring were far beyond money, contributing to their decision to make it free.

“When you sign up, you can also opt to donate; you can opt to run for $25 instead of for free,” Mowafi said. “I think it’s also important for people to know that the high school benefits from the innovation fund that does this sort of unique thing. So it is free and open to the public.”

Cher Duffield, a Brookline parent, former member of the Pierce school PTO and third-year runner for the event, said she was inspired to continue in order to support the cause that the Innovation Fund represents and to strengthen the Brookline community.

“The Brookline Innovation Fund is a great organization that actually makes a huge difference in the high school and makes it one of the top public high schools in the country,” Duffield said. “This brings people together.”

Duffield also said that the small details helped amplify her experience and made it enjoyable.

“It was a beautiful day, and [the volunteers] made it really easy. It’s right here, there’s refreshments and it’s super fun. You can run it competitively or you can just walk it,” Duffield said. “They make it really clear that it’s much more about building community and raising money.”

According to Mowafi, it is important that Brookline continues to have events raising awareness about organizations such as the Innovation Fund, which contribute greatly to the well-being of the students.

“We really want it to be a community-wide event and not just at the high school. Not just for the high schoolers,” Mowafi said. “But for and with the high schoolers and also the K-8, and for the general community.”