Walpole Holds 48th Annual Labor Day Road Race On Monday

WALPOLE, MA - A Walpole tradition is running strong on Monday, September 6, as the town prepares for its 48th annual Walpole Labor Day Road Race, one of the area's oldest.

The event is an opportunity for residents to reconnect as the pandemic lessens its grip, according to Lance Campbell, a race volunteer and member of the boosters for Walpole High School's cross country and track teams.

"We have had such a long tradition with this race," he said. "It's a chance for everyone to get together again and celebrate our town."

The event also has a mission - to provide financial support to the high school's track teams, which include about 200 students.

"It has helped provide funding for the girls and boys outdoor track teams at the high school," Campbell explained. "Some of the money also goes toward coaches and supplies."

Last year, the race was held virtually due to COVID-19. There is a virtual option for this year for 5K and 10K contests for those who cannot participate on Labor Day.

"It was really different virtually last year," Campbell said. "There were no crowds to cheer you on, and there was no physical line to tow."

Having the town come together and rally behind a cause is important to the community's fabric, he added.

"It's going to be an exciting time, just to be out in the open air and celebrate with each other," Campbell said.

There are three contests that morning, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Walpole High School. A one-mile fun run for youth sponsored by Marathon Sports will start the morning. This is the sixth year of the youth competition.

The Herb Lewis Memorial and John D. Murphy 10K Race (6.2 miles) and “Walpole Ed” 5K Run/Walk (3.1 miles) start and finish at Walpole High School.

Campbell decided to become a volunteer because of what the sport has meant to him throughout his life. He was an all-American track star in high school, as was his wife. His daughter ran for one year on the girl's cross country team, while his eldest son spent four years on the outdoor track team and three on its indoor counterpart.

"There's nothing like the feeling when you start a race on the line with everyone and then cross that finish line alone," he said. "That's what's so beautiful about running. There's a huge sense of accomplishment."

He noted that, now that the Boston Marathon has been moved to October, the Walpole run could be "a good tune up" for avid runners.

Local restaurants have sprinted to help the cause, donating a percentage of their purchases on designated days to the event. Since July, businesses including Family Pizzeria, The Raven's Nest, Tessie's Bar & Kitchen, Jalapenos Mexican Grill, and Crisp have contributed.

Campbell said it's not too late to join in a race.

"There is an online registration form that is open until Sunday evening," he said. "But we won't turn anyone away on Labor Day."

Long-time volunteer and former race organizer David Forester said that the event typically features more than 300 pre-registered participants, with another 150 or so who show up on race day.

"This race attracts a lot of people within a 20-mile radius," he explained. "But it's not meant to be a competitive run that draws the cream of the crop. You're more likely to see the person from across the street."

This year, he said there are almost 400 racers pre-registered.

Forester decided to volunteer for one main reason - the joy his daughters experienced running on the cross country and track teams.

"They had tried many, many different sports over the years," he said. "But this was the one that stuck. It is a team effort, and they really learned a lot."

Compared with more traditionally popular sports like football and basketball, the track and cross country teams don't enjoy a lot of financial support. The race pumps in money for uniforms, coaches and seven annual scholarships for graduating seniors.

"This is the one sport that has events year-round," Forester said, noting it draws more than 200 students among the track and cross country teams. "And it not only attracts runners but also athletes who want to keep in shape in their off season by running cross country."

Forester has taken pictures at a number of school and Labor Day races over the years. He said he enjoys compiling them into a video to share with the school teams.

This year, he is training new volunteers to follow in his footsteps.

"I wil be at the volunteer table and shadowing them to help show them the ropes," he said. "Organizing a road race is extremely complicated, from the planning to recruiting sponsors to the day of the race."

The race has a lengthy history, Forester explained.

"It came about as a way to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the town," he said. "It started out as a 10-mile run."

However, the distance was decreased in 1981 when the race was moved to Labor Day. This was the same year that then-Walpole High School cross country and track coach Jim Erker took over, becoming the race’s fourth director.

The distance was changed, Forester continued, in part because of the metric system and also to bring in a greater variety of participants.

"Righfully or wrongfully, they didn't think they were attracting a lot of female runners," he said. "So the distance was changed to 10 kilometers, and a 5K race was added. It was a different world back then as far as women were concerned."

Now people from all age goups participate, as well as Walpole natives who return home for the holiday weekend.

"The tradition of the Walpole Road Race bonds people together," Forester said. "In such times, more than ever, people need something that pushes them forward, to grab hold of and get excited about."

For more information, go to https://runsignup.com/race/ma/...