Granby Road Races

Print More
Granby Road Races set for May3

By John Carty

The 43rd running of the annual GranbyRoad Race will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2014, at 8:30a.m. Last year’s introduction of a 5k race was an overwhelming success. Both races will begin at a common start line 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 is also partially off-road as it turns into Salmon Brook Park.

“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 long-time Granby resident, and Dave Bale, still a 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.

Since 2011, the races have been organized by The Farmington Valley YMCA and used as a fundraiser for their Strong Kids Campaign. The Strong Kids Program provides financial assistance to many children in our community. The campaign’s emphasis is designed to support youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

“Every $150 raised sends a child to camp for a week. The 2013 race was a record year in terms of runner turnout. Not only was it an exciting and competitive race, it was also life changing for many of the children in our area as a result of the funds raised for The Strong Kids Campaign,” said Jocelyn Mitchell, the chair of the Farmington Valley YMCA board of managers.

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.

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.

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.

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.