44th Granby Road Race attracts lead corporate sponsor
By Amy Woodman
The historic Granby Road Race has attracted GoodWorks Insurance 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 Strong Kids Campaign.
The 44th annual running of the 5K and 10K race will kick off at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 2 at Granby Memorial High School, Route 10/202. Pre-registration will begin at 7:30 a.m.
“The 10K is one of the most beautiful 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.
Since 2011, the Farmington Valley YMCA has organized the race. Jocelyn Mitchell, chair of the board, announced the addition of the lead sponsor, Glastonbury-based GoodWorks Insurance, which specializes in bonds and business and personal insurance. “The additional financial support provided by GoodWorks Insurance will go a long way to provide financial assistance to many children in our community as part of our Strong Kids Campaign, a program with emphasis on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility,” Mitchell said. “Every $150 raised sends a child to camp for a week.”
Chad Yonker, chairman of GoodWorks Insurance, said that the community giving objectives of GoodWorks and the FV-YMCA are well aligned. “GoodWorks Insurance is committed to donating a minimum of 50 percent of our annual operating profits back to non-profits that support the local communities we serve,” Yonker said. “Very simply, communities profit as our business grows.”
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,” explains Lobo. The race attracted a record number of runners in 2013.
The first 100 registrants for the 10K and the 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 racecourse are available at www.granbyroadrace.org. Also, runners may email granbyroadrace@mail.com to request an application.
A Superhero Challenge for kids up to age 9 will be held at Granby Memorial Middle School immediately after the 10K and 5K races begin. Costumes are welcome!
Both races start just south of the GMMS 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
By Amy Woodman
The historic Granby Road Race has attracted GoodWorks Insurance 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 Strong Kids Campaign.
The 44th annual running of the 5K and 10K race will kick off at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 2 at Granby Memorial High School, Route 10/202. Pre-registration will begin at 7:30 a.m.
“The 10K is one of the most beautiful 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.
Since 2011, the Farmington Valley YMCA has organized the race. Jocelyn Mitchell, chair of the board, announced the addition of the lead sponsor, Glastonbury-based GoodWorks Insurance, which specializes in bonds and business and personal insurance. “The additional financial support provided by GoodWorks Insurance will go a long way to provide financial assistance to many children in our community as part of our Strong Kids Campaign, a program with emphasis on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility,” Mitchell said. “Every $150 raised sends a child to camp for a week.”
Chad Yonker, chairman of GoodWorks Insurance, said that the community giving objectives of GoodWorks and the FV-YMCA are well aligned. “GoodWorks Insurance is committed to donating a minimum of 50 percent of our annual operating profits back to non-profits that support the local communities we serve,” Yonker said. “Very simply, communities profit as our business grows.”
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,” explains Lobo. The race attracted a record number of runners in 2013.
The first 100 registrants for the 10K and the 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 racecourse are available at www.granbyroadrace.org. Also, runners may email granbyroadrace@mail.com to request an application.
A Superhero Challenge for kids up to age 9 will be held at Granby Memorial Middle School immediately after the 10K and 5K races begin. Costumes are welcome!
Both races start just south of the GMMS 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