Getting some exercise and helping a local cause

By Damian Bonazzoli

September 2005 - During the month of September, trade in your sandals for some sneakers and hit the pavement for one of the many benefit road races being held in and around Worcester.

UMass Medical School hosts it 7th Annual Walk to Cure Cancer on Sunday, Sept. 25. The event is a 5- mile walk-a-thon (with a 1-mile version available!) around Lake Quinsigamond to raise money in support of cutting edge research at UMass Memorial Cancer Center. Registration begins at noon on the 25th at UMass Medical School, 55 Lake Ave. North in Worcester. The race itself begins at 2pm. For more information about donating to the cause or about getting involved as a walker or a volunteer, please call (508) 856-5520.

Here’s another great road race to keep in mind – The 22nd Annual Fallon 5 Road Race. This race, also on Sunday the 25th, traces a 5-mile course along the shores of Lake Quinsigamond from Worcester to Shrewsbury. The starting point of the race, as well as the site for the 8:30am registration, is 425 North Lake Avenue (in the parking lot of Fallon Clinic). KevinShea, Sports Director of Channel 3’s Worcester News Tonight, will be serving as MC and will be joined by WSRS’s on-air personality Bruce Palmer. Kids can spend time with Rocky the Lite Rock Lion and will be entertained by clowns, balloons and music. Adults will be treated to massages, free T-shirts, tips on walking and healthy eating, and prizes for the top finishers. A portion of the proceeds raised by the Walk will benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of Worcester. Registration forms are available online at www.fchp.org or call 1-508-368- 9733

The Greendale Family Branch of the YMCA of Greater Worcester is partnering with the Arthritis Foundation MA Chapter for the 5th Annual Arthritis Walk-Run in Worcester on Sunday, Sept. 18 at the YMCA of Greater Worcester, Greendale Family Branch, 75 Shore Drive -- Money raised will benefit the 70 millions adults and children in the U.S. with arthritis. Early registration is suggested by calling 800-766-9449 Ext. 137. The 5K race kicks off at 75 Shore Drive in Worcester. Visit http://arthritiswalkrun.kintera.org for times and more information on how you can participate and lend your support to this cause.

Getting exercise, spending time with friends and family, helping raise money and awareness for some of the best causes around, who could ask for a better combination?
On Sunday, September 25, 2005 we are holding the 20th annual Andy Kelly Memorial Road Race to raise money for the Andrew S. Kelly Memorial Scholarship Fund. Andy was an avid runner at the Blackstone- Millville Regional High School and Northeastern University who died unexpectedly of viral heart disease at the age of 21. For many of us the death of Andy was a traumatic loss that will be felt forever. To keep his spirit alive, and to remember just how fragile our lives are, family and friends hold this road race each year in his memory. The proceeds are returned to the community by awarding a scholarship annually to a graduating senior of the B.M.R.H.S. to assist with their college expenses. http://www.akmrr.org/