The Eighth Annual Rochester Road Race to Benefit the Family Pantry-Damien’s Place is approaching. Runners and walkers of all abilities are invited to participate. This 5K (3.1 mile) event will kick off on Saturday, August 10 at 9:00 am and is open to runners and walkers of all ages.
The race is incorporated as a nonprofit organization, and net proceeds from entry fees are donated to the Family Pantry-Damien’s Place in Wareham. In addition, participants and spectators are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items, which will be collected prior to the race and donated to the food pantry. Damien’s Place provides food to over 500 families in need each month. To date, the Rochester Road Race has raised over $26,000 for the Pantry and donated over 2,000 pounds of food.
Awards will be given to the top overall male and female finishers and top three males and females in each of eight age divisions. Refreshments, goodie bags and a chance to win raffle prizes will be available for all participants. The first 300 registered participants also receive Road Race T-shirts.
Entry forms can be printed from www.rochesterma.com or www.jbrace.com or participants can register online at www.jbrace.com. Runners and walkers can also sign up, and pick up numbers at Dexter Lane athletic fields in Rochester on Friday evening from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm and on Saturday morning from 8:00 am to 8:45 am.
Before Wednesday, August 7, the entry fee for adult runners is $15, with a reduced entry fee of $10 for walkers and those 12 or under and 70 or older. After August 7, registration is $20 per runner.
The race will start on Dexter Lane, continue down Mary’s Pond Road to Walnut Plain, and turn left on Clapp Road. A water stop will be set up on Clapp Road at the halfway point. Runners will turn left onto Mendell Road, and then make another left onto Rounseville Road, finishing on the church green in the center of town.