42nd Annual Granby Road Race Expands by Adding a 5K

This press release was posted by Susan Schoenberger. It was submitted by John Connelly.

Saturday, May 4, 2013, will mark the 42nd running of the annual Granby 10K Road Race and the first running of the new Granby 5K Road Race. Both races will begin at a common start line at 8:30 a.m. at the Granby Middle School on Route 10. 

The 10K will lead runners on a 6.2 mile course that covers both paved roads and scenic wooded trails. The 5K course will run south on Route 10 and turn into Salmon Brook Park, circumvent the park and return to Route 10 and north to a common finish line with the 10K at the Granby Middle School. Electronic “chip timing” will be used for both races.
 
“The 10K is 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, a former longtime Granby resident, and Dave Bale, still a longtime 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.
    
The races are now organized by The Farmington Valley YMCA and used as a fundraiser for their Strong Kids Program. The Strong Kids Program provides scholarship that allows kids to attend YMCA programs including going to Camp Chase. 

 These experiences can be life changing for many of these youngsters. Every $150 raised sends a kid to camp for a week. 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. A Superheros obstacle course competition for kids up to 9 years old will begin immediately after the running races begin.The course will be laid out on the lawn in front of the Granby Middle School. There is no charge for this fun activity, costumes are encouraged, and prizes will be awarded. 

 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, MA, holds the record for women with a time of 38:02. The men’s record is held by Peter Pazik at 32:09.

The first 100 registrants for each of the 10K and 5K will receive a free Granby Road Race T shirt.

Gift certificate and/or merchandise prizes are awarded for first, second and third place for men and women in the Open Classes of each race and many merchandise and/or recognition 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 of each race as well.

Runners may register online at WWW.active.com. Race applications and maps of each race course are available at WWW.GranbyRoadRace.org. Also, runners may e-mail Granbyroadrace@mail.com. to request an application.