44th Annual Granby Road Race attracts lead sponsor

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By Amy Woodman
The historic Granby Road Race has attracted Command Corporation as a lead corporate sponsor this year. One of the state’s longest-running races, the Granby Road Race raises money to support the Farmington Valley YMCA’s Annual Campaign.
The 44th annual running of the 5K and 10K race will kick off at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 2nd at Granby Memorial High School, Route 10/202 in Granby, CT. Pre-registration will begin at 7:30 a.m.
“The 10K is one of the most beautiful and unique races in the state, because approximately half of the course is run through McLean Game Refuge,” said David Schupp, one of the race’s longtime organizers and volunteers. This year, there will also be a 5K that will run partly on road, and partly through Salmon Brook Park. A Superhero Challenge, for kids ages 0 to 9, will be held at Granby Middle School immediately after the races begin. Costumes are welcome!
Brian Liss, the new Executive Director of the Farmington Valley YMCA is proud to be part of a community where so many organizations support local non-profits. “The financial support provided by our many sponsors will go a long way to provide financial assistance to many children in our community as part of our annual campaign, a program with emphasis on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility,” Liss said. “The support of Command Corporation this year means so much as it allows us to have a great race while at the same time providing support to those in our community who need us the most.”  
The original Granby Road Race dates back to 1970 in celebration of the first Earth Day. The original founders of the 10K race were David Bale, a former runner and Granby resident, David Hildreth, a former long-time Granby resident, and Dennis Lobo, a cross-country coach at Granby Memorial High School since 1967.
“In years past, this race attracted nationally recognized runners such as John Vitale, Amby Burfoot and Ray Crothers,” explained Lobo. The race attracted a record number of runners in 2013.
 Both races start just south of the Granby Middle School on Route 10. The 5K continues south on Route 10 and enters Salmon Brook Park, where the course makes a loop before returning to Route 10 and heading north back to Granby Middle School.
The 10K continues south on the west side of Route 10 to Canton Road, where runners turn right onto Canton Road. Runners enter the McLean Game Refuge from Canton Road and exit the refuge back onto the west side of Route 10. Runners continue north on the west side of Route 10 and turn left into the semi-circle driveway in front of the high school to the finish line. Please note that there may be disruption to traffic on 10/202 as a result of the race.
The first 100 registrants for each of the 10K and 5K will receive a free Granby Road Race t-shirt. Gift certificates 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.
Runners may register on line at www.active.com Race applications and maps of each race course are available at www.granbyroadrace.org. Also runners may email granbyroadrace@mail.com to request an application.