On Sunday, the first Sippican Schooner 5K Fun Run benefiting school enrichment programs at the elementary school was a triumph with more than 300 runners participating in the timed race.

Event organizers said the event was designed to attract a variety of people.

“We were looking for a fundraiser that incorporated more of the community, more kids…something that hasn’t been done before,” said Diane Martin, the 5K’s coordinator. Previously, the group’s annual fundraiser had been a soiree held at different clubs. Opening it up to all ages made sense, she said.

“A lot of parents have registered their kids, they are definitely represented in the numbers,” she said.

With many in town already active runners the new fundraiser seemed to be a perfect fit Martin said.

The race was a fundraiser sponsored by the parent-teacher group, Volunteers at Sippican Elementary. Money raised will be placed into a fund that pays for programming throughout the year. Martin said the volunteers award $850 every year to each grade at the school to used at the grade’s discretion. Some programs, such as one that brings live owls into Kindergarten classrooms, are paid for directly by the group. Through the years the group has funded field trips and performing arts programs too.

Sunday’s race began in front of Tabor Academy’s Baxter House and ended at Hoyt Field. For more information on the Volunteers at Sippican Elementary School contact the group via email at: vase@orr.med.edu.

Full results from the race can be found online at: www.coolrunning.com.