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Nearly 200 runners toed the start line for the 22nd annual Medfield Day 5K and Kids Fun Run on Saturday at the Pfaff Center.
Close to 100 runners took to the 5K course, which started in front of the Pfaff Center on North Street and headed toward Harding and on to Hospital Road, before hitting the halfway point just before the Medfield State Hospital property. There, the runners turned back and followed the course back to the Pfaff Center.
The race was won by Medfield resident and high school senior John Churchill, who finished in a blistering time of 18:28 (5:57/mile pace) on a muggy morning. He was followed in the top five by Patrick Troy of Medfield (18:51); Colin Benson of Medfield (19:27); Matthew Morgan of Medfield (201:10); and Kyle Infantino of Medfield (20:27).
The women’s race was won by Emily Morgan, who is 12 years old and from Medfield. She crossed the finish line in 23:14. Rounding out the top five females were Tara Jennings of Medfield 23:46); Karen Schnedier of Medfield (24:14); Kristine Friscino of Medfield (26:00); and Sarah Benedict of Sherborn (26:29).
Medfield Parks and Recreation hosts the annual event as a way to kickoff Discover Medfield Day in town. The race was supported by volunteers from the high school cross country team, who helped with registrations, T-shirt distribution and gathering runners at the finish line.
“We are so proud to be the official start to the Medfield Day festivities with the annual road race,” said Kevin Ryder, Director of Parks and Recreation. “I was impressed with the turnout on a muggy morning. I am beyond thankful that people register and take part in our annual race. I was extremely impressed with the number of kids who took part in the fun run. That was amazing to see.”
Before the 5K, more than 100 kids took part in the 1K Kids Fun Run. The course took the kids from the Pfaff Center on North Street to Green Street, turning on Lowell Mason and back on North Street to finish at the Pfaff Center.
