Local road-running season is springing into gear
When you think of running in April, the world-famous Boston Marathon quickly comes to mind. But whether you're ready to hang with world-class athletes or just keep pace with the neighbors, April kicks off the outdoor racing season in earnest. Many area communities will be featuring events for runners of all skill levels, many of which raise money for worthy causes. Here's a sampling:
TodayIt may not be too late to head to Cohasset Village and participate in the Cohasset Rotary Club's 29th annual 10K Race by the Sea, which begins at 1 p.m. Entrance fee is $20; free long-sleeved T-shirts to the first 800 to check in; parking is available at the town central lot and at the South Shore Music Circus. A portion of the proceeds goes to various charities sponsored by Rotary International. For more information, go to http://www.coolrunning.com/major/05/cohasset.
Next Sunday Two races of note: The 19th annual road race out of the Martinson Elementary School on Forest Street in Marshfield. There are separate 5-mile and 1.5-mile races, beginning at 10 a.m. For entry information, call Susan Gaspar at 781-585-9704. Also next Sunday, the Teachers in Training Family Fun Run and Walk kicks off at the Raynham Middle School at 420 Titicut Road. The 5-kilometer race begins at 11 a.m. Call 508-977-0504 for more information.
April 16The National Honor Society 5K runs out of the Silver Lake Regional High School in Kingston at 10 a.m. For more information, call Kevin Horton at 781-585-7865.
April 17The fourth annual Shawn D. Patterson Road Race starts at the Gates Intermediate School on First Parish Road in Scituate. A 5K run/walk starts at 11 a.m. and a 10K race takes off at noon. Entry fee is $15. Free T-shirts to the first 300 who register. Both race courses include a stretch along Scituate Harbor. The event raises money for the Shawn D. Patterson Scholarship Fund. Patterson was a Mass. Maritime Academy freshman killed in a car accident in 2001. For more information, call Pat Patterson at 508-790-5834.
April 30The Kids' Road Race series at D.W. Field Park in Brockton kicks off its spring season. The 2.2-mile loop is open to children 14 and under. April 30 is the first of an eight-week Saturday schedule. Races start at 10 a.m., and a $1 donation is requested for each race run. All runners who participate in at least four races will receive a trophy at the end of the series. For more information, call Dave Gorman at 508-588-3148.
May 1The Wareham YMCA 5K event runs along Onset Bay starting at 10 a.m. Free T-shirts to the first 300 registrants. Award ceremony and refreshments available at the pier's pavilion starting at 11:15 a.m. Registration is $15. For more information, call Kim Hall at 508-295-9622.
Also that day is the Dean S. Luce School 5K and fun run at 45 Independence St. in Canton. Half-mile and mile children's fun runs kick off at 10 and 10:30 a.m., respectively; the 5K run starts at 11 a.m. Free T-shirts to all who preregister. Entrance fee for the 5K is $18 before April 28 and $20 after; fun run entry fee is $8. For more information, call Bob Ciccketti at 508-830-9504.
May 30Colonial Road Runners and the American Diabetes Association sponsor the third annual Christopher's Run 5K at 11 a.m. out of the West Bridgewater Council on Aging (97 West Center St., near the fire station). The race is named for Christopher Nelson, a 5-year-old West Bridgewater resident with diabetes, and benefits the ADA. The first two races raised $25,000 for the cause. For more information, call Frank Nelson at 508-208-5377. Registration is $15, free T-shirts to the first 200 entrants.
DAVE DOYLE
