New Management, Location for Wellesley 1 Miler

The Wellesley 1 Miler Race in memory of Hannah Randolph . New race director Dave Hannon told Patch that they took the event over, and have started from scratch. 

Like last year, the race begins on Mother’s Day morning, and runners will still gather in honor of a Wellesley High School freshman who lost her life in a skiing accident last year.

However, this year's Wellesley 1 Miler for Hannah Randolph will start off at a new location: Elm Bank. The location is more significant to the Randolph family, as it is where Hannah learned to ride her bike, and where she played soccer. 

Last year, the race ran through downtown Wellesley. Hannon commented that while the location was great, it had some challenges--such as parking.

This year, funds go to support the Hannah Randolph Memorial Fund, which provides scholarships to 9th grade Wellesley students with a passion for athletics, art and friendship. Last year, a donation was made to Boston Children's Hospital in Hannah's name.

Hannon is himself a friend of the Randolph family. He said he had no way of knowing, but estimated that of the over 330 racers last year, about three-quarters had some connection to the Randolph family. 

Many of the same donors are returning from last year, City Sports, Whole Foods, Marathon Sports, and Whole Foods are providing prizes and refreshments on race day.

"People step up when you ask." Hannon commented, "It's easy to get cynical. If you have the infrastructure, and give people the opportunity, they become more generous than you expect."

Hannon said that as Marshall Randolph, Hannah's father, and he were distributing flyers, they stepped into White Mountain Creamery and spoke briefly to the owner. "Without batting an eyelash," Hannon said, he filled out and handed them a gift certificate to use as a prize. 

He also noted that the race's lead donor, Reynders, McVeigh Capital Management got back to them within fifteen minutes of the initial e-mail. Thanks to a grant from that organization, registration for kids is discounted.

Registration is available online, at $20 for adults and $10 for runners under 17. For more information on family discounts, e-mail raceonemile@gmail.com. 

For more information, see the race's new website: www.wellesley1miler.org or email raceonemile@gmail.com. 

Those interested in making a donation to the fund can mail a check to: 

Hannah Randolph Memorial Fund
c/o Wellesley United Soccer Club
P.O. Box 81119
Wellesley Hills, MA 02481

[Edit: A previous version of this article indicated Solid Body Fitness was a sponsor. They have not endorsed the race. This has been corrected. 9:13 a.m.]