By Isabell Macrina
Hometown Weekly Reporter
Every year, in partnership with the Dover Days Fair, the Parks and Recreation department and the Dover-Sherborn High School cross-country team organize and run the Dover Dash 5K and Fun Run. There used to be a five-mile run with the Dover Days Fair, but ten years ago the Parks and Recreation department reached out to the Raiders to bring back a race of some kind, resulting in the 5K and Fun Run for the kids.
Since this year was the 10th anniversary of the races, the registration cost dropped to ten dollars. This year they had over forty people registered, which made it their biggest race yet.
The Fun Run started the day off at 10 a.m. with a circle around the center of town, about a third of a mile. Kids lined up at the starting line with their numbered bibs and took off to cheers from parents and patrons alike. It was a fast run, and every child ended the run with cheers and a medal to take home.
The 5k started at 10:30. The runners gathered under the American flag, hung from the top of the fire truck ladder, in anticipation. One of the Raiders was the mc for the event and sent them off with a cheer. Other members of the cross-country team were along the route to guide them on the way and encourage the runners.
While the crowd waited for the racers to finish, students from Dover-Sherborn High School were also running a snack booth with cotton candy, snow cones, and popcorn! They also had a raffle to win a merchandise prize basket, with the proceeds going back to their team and the town.
The crowd did not have to wait long, with the first runner Clay Reynolds coming in at seventeen minutes and twenty-seven seconds! Second finisher was father to one of the cross-country members! Dragos Vesbianu at eighteen minutes and thirty-eight seconds, followed by third place Sarah Diamond at a very respectable nineteen minutes and nine seconds.
The results were divided by age group, so it was a fair distribution of prizes. Those who finished first and second in their age groups went home with freshly baked cookies, exactly what you want after running just over three miles! It was a hot and sunny day, but they all put their best foot forward. Congratulations to all the runners!
