Bigelow Tea’s Challenge: How a 5K Race Powers a Legacy of Purpose

FAIRFIELD, CT – September 09, 2026 – On Sunday, September 27, the familiar pulse of running shoes on pavement will once again echo through Southport as the Bigelow Tea Community Challenge (BTCC) marks its 39th year. What began in 1988 as a local race has evolved into a powerful engine of community support and a profound expression of corporate identity. This annual event, featuring a 5K run, 3K walk, and kids' fun run, is far more than a day of athletic endeavor; it is the culmination of a year-long commitment that has channeled over $2.9 million into the lifeblood of Fairfield County—its local nonprofits.

This year, thousands of runners, walkers, and families are expected to gather at the Wakeman Boys and Girls Club, not just for the competition or the camaraderie, but to participate in a tradition that directly fuels 21 essential local charities. It’s a living demonstration of a business philosophy embedded in Bigelow Tea’s DNA since its founding in 1945: that community and commerce are inextricably linked.

A Community Cornerstone Nears Four Decades

The BTCC has become a cherished fixture in the Fairfield County calendar, a multi-generational affair that draws participants of all ages and abilities. Registration opens at 8 a.m., with a series of kids' events—from a 100-yard scamper to an obstacle course—kicking off at 9 a.m. The main events, a computer-timed 5K run and a non-competitive 3K walk, begin at 10 a.m., sending a wave of participants through the scenic streets of Southport.

For 2026, the event is adding a new attraction designed to delight families: a 'Touch A Truck' experience with the Fairfield Fire Department. This allows children and adults to climb aboard a real fire truck, meet local first responders, and connect with another vital part of the community fabric. Following the race, the celebration continues with live music, food, and a raffle featuring prizes from sporting event tickets to curated gift baskets. Every registrant receives a commemorative T-shirt and the event's famously well-stocked goodie bag, a perk so popular it has become a draw in its own right.

While the atmosphere is festive, the purpose is serious. The more than $180,000 raised in 2025 alone provides a critical lifeline for organizations on the front lines of community service. The event’s longevity is a testament to its seamless organization and deep roots in the area, offering both in-person and virtual participation options to ensure everyone who wants to contribute can do so.

Fueling Fairfield County's Front Lines

The true impact of the Bigelow Tea Community Challenge is measured not in finish times, but in the essential services it helps fund. The proceeds are distributed among 21 carefully selected nonprofits whose work forms a crucial safety net for residents across the region. These are not distant, abstract charities, but local organizations addressing immediate needs.

Beneficiaries include the Center for Family Justice, which provides crisis services to victims of domestic and sexual violence; Connecticut Foodshare, which battles food insecurity across the state; and Operation Hope, which offers food, housing, and support services to those experiencing homelessness. Funds also support youth development at the Wakeman Boys and Girls Club and the Cardinal Shehan Center, senior wellness at the Bigelow Center for Senior Activities, and educational opportunities at the Mercy Learning Center.

The diverse list of recipients—from the Norma Pfriem Breast Center to Pivot Ministries—reflects a holistic approach to community well-being. For these organizations, many of which rely heavily on local fundraising, the unrestricted funds provided by the BTCC are invaluable. They translate directly into hot meals, safe beds, after-school programs, crisis counseling, and compassionate care for the community's most vulnerable members.

More Than a Race: A Philosophy of Doing Business

The Community Challenge is the most visible manifestation of a corporate ethos that has guided Bigelow Tea for three generations. Founded by Ruth Campbell Bigelow with her iconic "Constant Comment"® tea, the company is now led by her granddaughter, Cindi Bigelow. This continuity of family leadership has preserved a deep-seated commitment to values that extend far beyond profit margins.

This commitment is formalized in the company’s status as a Certified B Corporation, a designation it has held since 2019 and successfully renewed through rigorous assessments. The B Corp certification requires companies to meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. With a B Impact Score of 103.1—well above the 80-point minimum for certification—Bigelow Tea has demonstrated a measurable dedication to using business as a force for good. This includes initiatives like maintaining Zero Waste to Landfill operations since 2012 and powering its U.S. facilities with 100% renewable energy.

Further cementing its identity, the company became a WBENC-certified woman-owned business in February 2024, a formal recognition of the female leadership that has been a constant for decades. For Bigelow Tea, these certifications are not marketing tools but affirmations of a long-held belief system.

“Every September, I get to watch Wakeman Boys and Girls Club in Southport fill up with neighbors, employees and families as they get ready to run, walk or simply show up and cheer,” said Cindi Bigelow, president and CEO. “That sense of community is what the Bigelow Tea Community Challenge has always been about. My grandmother, Ruth Campbell Bigelow, founded this company with the belief that doing right by your community should always be part of how you do business... It is such a special day filled with energy, generosity and heart! I hope you’ll come join us.”

Her words capture the essence of the event: a tradition where corporate responsibility is not a department, but a family legacy, and where every step taken helps build a stronger, more resilient community.