By Madison Butkus
Hometown Weekly Reporter
It was off to the races this past Saturday, September 9th as the Dover-Sherborn High School Cross Country Team organized and managed the annual Dover Dash 5K and Fun Run. In connection with the Dover Days Fair, there was a packed crowd humming around downtown Dover.
These super fun races are held right in front of the Dover American Legion, which is located right next to the Dover Town Library. First up was the famous Fun Run for ages three to nine. This included a short loop of about one-third of a mile on roads around the Dover Town Hall green. All of the roads were officially shut down for the safety of the kiddos. Additionally, high school cross country members led and followed the race to make sure everyone stayed on course.
Throughout the entirety of the race, family and friends could be seen cheering on their little ones, snapping pictures and recording all sorts of videos for memories down the road. Upon the kiddos finishing their run, they were welcomed to an ice cold popsicle to cool off.
About a half hour later, those participating in the Dover Dash 5K lined up underneath a Dover Fire Department fire truck that was displaying an enormous American Flag. This race was for anyone ages eight to infinity. Over the past few years, they debuted a new, safer 5K course which runs on the right side of all roads, excluding the finish line stretch. The course started and ended from Dedham Street and went through Springdale Ave, Main Street, Haven Street, and Church Street.
Helping at today’s race was Stephen Hurts, who stated, “So actually Dover Days I believe used to be in the spring and they always had a 5k with the Dover Police. They were the ones who organized it. It was actually five miles at one point in time. But anyways, they moved it over to the fall and ended up losing the race part for a while. So Dover Parks and Recreation reached out to us asking if we wanted to organize the race, they always had the Fun Run as well. So we said yes absolutely! Our team has been doing it now for eight years. And of course we have the Fun Run which I think is the most fun part of the day. Just to see everybody lined up and excited and everyone take off as fast as they can then they are all tired by the end. It’s just a super fun time overall.”
Both races went extremely well and all are hopeful for another great turnout next year. Overall winners included Dennis Caron in first place, Grant Beasley in second place, and Dragos Vesbianu in third place. Congratulations to all those who participated!
