Hundreds Compete In Walpole Road Race On Labor Day

WALPOLE, MA - The mood was jubilant at the Walpole Road Race Monday morning as more than 500 participants stepped up both in person and virtually to support the cross country and track and field teams at Walpole High School.

The weather was perfect for the 48th anniversary of the race. Sunshine streamed over the runners while a gentle breeze cooled them as they navigated the course, which started and finished at the high school. Families gathered along Common Street to cheer on everyone who crossed the finish line.

The festivities kicked off at the school's parking lot before the run, where deejay Nate Adams pumped up the crowd with tunes. Raffles enticed the spectators with chances for Red Sox and New England Patriots tickets and baskets provided by volunteers.

The day offered something for all ages as three separate contests were held. The Marathon Sports Youth Mile run drew about 100 kids, some running alongside their parents. For adults, there was the "Walpole Ed" 5K run and walk, named for Korean War veteran and well-known runner Ed Damish, who died this summer.

Jim Erker, the second race director in its history and now its honorary director, is a walking encyclopedia of knowledge about the race. He began coaching the school's track team in 1972 and served as its athletic director for eight years before retiring in 2006.

"Ed Damish was a legendary runner and just a huge ambassador for the Walpole Road Race," Erker said. "He ran about 150 to 200 races a year, and everywhere he went, he would promote the Walpole Road Race. His nickname was Walpole Ed, which is what we named the 5K.

"He made a name for himself doing that," added another former race director, Steve Kiley. Kiley is a Walpole native and an avid runner and volunteer. He noted that the original race was run the Sunday after Mother's Day and began downtown. However, the location and time were moved so that there would be no conflicts with religious service or professional sports contests.

"The running boom was going on when the race was founded," Erker continued. "Frank Shorter had won the 1972 Olympic medal, and the sport became more popular. They approached me as the track coach so that the race could have a permanent race director in 1982. I started then, and I never went away."

The race originally was a 10-mile contest, and then a 5-mile run was added. It was changed to a 5K and 10K around 2o years ago to attract more contestants.

"They figured that anyone who could run a 10-mile race could do a 10K, and the same thing with the extra distance for the 5K," Erker said."A lot of the parents come back long after the kids have graduated because it's such a fun time."

Community and parent support has allowed to remain successful and attract runners as far away as Rhode Island, he noted. There were numerous community sponsors.

There were 493 adult runners present, with a number of others participating virtually. More than 100 children were estimated to have participated.

Dan Damish, the son of "Walpole Ed," and several family members ran in the event and came to show their support for the event in which they have participated for years as well as their appreciation for the town that still reveres Ed Damish's contributions.

"I started funning this race in the early 80s when it was a 10-mile run," he said. "Today I wanted to run it in honor of my father. The whole family is here, except for one brother in
California."

Pat Damish, his brother, has walked it every year with him, he added.

Steve Damish, a nationally recognized journalist formerly with The Enterprise, shared a video he took at the start of the race: https://www.facebook.com/10000....

"This summer, Walpole and the Walpole track community - and the track community everywhere - lost an icon in 'Walpole Ed' Damish," said Erker at the awards ceremony asa moment of silence commenced in Damish's honor. "He so enjoyed being an ambassador for this road race and road running in general."

Also speaking was Lisa Raeke, one of the founders of Goals for Greyson, an organization that is raising money for Greyson Beauregard, a 13-year-old who was paralyzed last fall in an accident. She encouraged people to visit the table, where Goals for Greyson sold face masks, stickers and raffle tickets for prices to raise money for the injured youth.

Participants said they were happy to see so many people at a public event after the isolation of the pandemic, as well as to have a chance to run.

"I'm just really excited to get back out into the racing scene, because I haven't been able to do that since COVID began," said Amie Colcord of Norwood. "I love the community aspect of it and just getting out for a friendly competition."

Kevin Greener said he was running the race "because it has become an annual tradition" since 2015. His daughter, Grace, held a sign to support him.

Jack Collins, who won the men's 5K, is a regular at this race and a star of the Walpole track team. He joined his cousin, Maddie Barry, who was participating in her first competition. This continues a family tradition, as Collins's parents enjoy running as well.

"Jack is the one to watch," said his mom, Patty. "Maddie is the one to wait for. My brother and me used to run it all the time when we were kids."

The winners of the races were:

Men's 5K:

1. Jack Collins: 17:25

2. Nathan Coogan: 17:35

3. Scott Cameron: 18:28

Women's 5K:

1. Aileen Keogh: 20:20

2. Cara Morris: 23:12

3. Cate Stanton: 23:12

5K Team:

1. Walpole Boys Cross Country: (Sean Kerrin, Kieran
Stover, Robert Millette) - combined time: 57:11

2. Walpole Girls Cross Country: (Cara Morris, Cate
Stanton, Emily Sullivan) - combined time: 1:10:36

3. Thirsty Irish Runners: (Kevin Bligh, Dave Bent,
Tom Tierney) - combined time: 1:20:37

Men's 10K:

1. Tyler Opdycke: 33:19

2. Brendan Medeiros: 35:22

3. Aristides Cruz: 36:58

Women's 10K:

1. Mary Beth Cashman: 43:17

2. Lauren Leslie: 43:28

3. Maureen A. Larkin: 47:31

10K Team:

1. Conor Cashman, Shannon Findley, Superintendent
Bridget Gough - combined time: 2:29:20

Boys Youth
Mile:

1. Walter Stock: 6:17

2. Sebastian Miller: 6:18

3. Bobby Stock: 6:57

Girls Youth
Mile:

1. Eshe Stockton: 6:42

2. Emma Hanifan: 6:44

3. Hailey Cashman: 7:07