The Gloucester Educational Foundation held its annual 5K/8K Walk/Run Saturday.

Approximately $15,000 had been raised from foundation board members and sponsors alone, but it will take a few more days to get the final total.

The event was held at Gloucester High School, and saw an all-time high in participants, as 494 showed up to face the brisk winds.

According to Gloucester Educational Foundation chair Mike Jenkins, the annual race is the foundation’s major fundraiser, raising money for scholarships and grants for both students and teachers. A former school board member, Jenkins said he understands the importance of education, and its cost.

Jenkins said the whole event is possible because of the supportive community of Gloucester. The foundation received sponsors from local businesses and groups to help put on the event. The Peninsula Track Club, one of the event’s biggest supporters, handles a lot of the technical side of things, such as recording the times for the runne...