Franklin Academy 6th Annual Double Helix 1.75 Mile Race – East Haddam, CT 2026

RACE HISTORY: Franklin Academy students have participated in local 5Ks for over a decade. During the 2020-2021 school year, when off-campus trips were paused, we brought the race to our campus! With the 1st annual race day set on April 25, we realized this was National DNA Day . It was the perfect quirky holiday to celebrate. We designed a weaving, double helix-inspired two challenging loops around our campus, with science facts peppered around the course. With reused trophies generously donated by members of the Run 169 Society , we celebrated in style. The successful event has since returned by popular demand each year. While most run or walk, our creative and fun students and faculty have brought traditions of racing in non-traditional modes (piggybacking, biking, being carried by kayak, or walking on stilts). We embrace and encourage this fun! The 1.75 mile course has remained a constant, though we have moved the date to May. We continue the tradition of gathering reused trophies t