Granby Road Race to be Held May 5

Submitted release

GRANBY – Saturday, May 5, 2012 will mark the 41st running of the Granby Road Race. This 10K  race will start at 8:30 a.m. at the Granby Middle School on Route 10 and lead runners on a 6.2 mile course that covers both paved roads and scenic wooded trails.

“It’s one of the most beautiful and unique races in the state because almost half of it is run through McLean Game Refuge,” said Dave Schupp, one of the race’s longtime organizers.  The race was originated by David Hildreth, former long time Granby resident, and Dave Bale, another long time Granby resident, to celebrate the first Earth Day in 1970.  Hildreth chaired the race committee for many years and was followed by Dan Hausmann, of East Granby for nine years. 

For the second year in a row, the Farmington Valley YMCA is organizing the race and the proceeds will support its Strong Kids Program, which provides scholarships to send kids to Camp Chase. 

Every $150 raised sends a kid to camp. This year, runners are encouraged to have family and friends pledge a dollar amount per mile to support the Strong Kids campaign. Those checks should be made payable to YMCA-Granby Road Race.  Pledge forms are available at www.granbyroadrace.org.

Anyone who has run the race will recognize Granby high school coaches Dennis Lobo, Mark Acquaotta and Wally Hansen. These coaches are an inspiration to all of the runners, young and old, Schupp said.

Jessica (Caley) Rice, who grew up in Granby and now resides in Cambridge, Mass., holds the record for women with a time of 38:02. The men’s record is held by Peter Pazik at 32:09.

There is a two-mile run for kids age 11 and younger that begins around 8:45 a.m. Free race t-shirts will be given to the first 100 registrants. 

Gift certificate and/or merchandise prizes of $75, $50 and $25 are awarded for first, second and third place for men and women in the Open Class and many merchandise prizes for first, second and third place of each age division as well.  Granby maple syrup is presented to the first Granby resident male and female finishers.

Runners may register online at www.granbyroadrace.org or www.active.com by clicking on Granby Road Race or by e-mailing jmitchell@simsburybank.com to request a race application.