The 2019 Granby road race celebrates his 48th year on Saturday, May 4, at 8:30 a.m. at Granby Memorial Middle School. Nine years ago the Granby Road Race merged with the Farmington Valley YMCA as the organization’s premier fundraising event in memory of David Schupp, Jr.
The Granby Road Race offers both 5K and 10K races both run on a combination of road and trails. Both races start at 8:30 a.m. south of Granby Memorial Middle School on Route 10. The 5K race route is relatively flat spanning half of the miles inside Salmon Brook Park, making it a great race for kids and families. The 10k race route is more challenging with about half of the course run on the trails inside the McLean Game Refuge. With a mix of terrain through the center of one of Connecticut’s most beautiful towns, both races are sure to please experienced and first-time runners alike. Granby is fortunate to have one of the oldest road races in Connecticut right in the center of town.
The money raised by the race is used by the Farmington Valley YMCA to fund programs and services for our friends and neighbors here in our community regardless of their ability to pay. In the past, assistance allowed friends and neighbors to participate in programs including summer camp for children, gymnastics sessions for autistic children, exercise and nutrition coaching, swimming programs, and LiveSTRONG programs for those going battling cancer, to name a few.
As is tradition for the Granby Road Race a pint of Granby-made maple syrup donated by Young Farms will be awarded to the first female and male Granby residents who finish each race. Additionally, the first 200 registered runners in each race will receive a free technical t-shirt. Prizes are awarded for first, second and third place female and male overall finishers of both races, and for first, second, and third place female and male age group finishers of both races.
Registration for the Granby Road Race is available through active.com until Thursday, May 2, and again on the morning of the race starting at 7:15 a.m. Pre-race-day bag pick up will be from 6-9 p.m. at the YMCA, 97 Salmon Brook Street, on Thursday, May 2, and Friday, May 3, but may also be picked up the morning of the race at Granby Memorial Middle School.
The Granby Road Race volunteer planning committee is seeking donations, race-day volunteers, and new committee members. If you are interested in donating to the race or volunteering please contact Treena King by calling 860-653-5524 or via email at Treena.King@ghymca.org.