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By Rama K. Ramaswamy
Once again this year and for the past 23 years, adults, teens, and children alike have enjoyed running the 5K Schofield Road Race, a USATF certified challenging course, featuring three main hills and a downhill finish. Schofield organizers said, “the Road Race is unique because it is inclusive of people of all ages who are welcomed to participate at the same time. Often, you’ll see families training and running together.”
The Road Race course spans the shady, tree-lined streets of the Poets’ Corner neighborhood in Wellesley. Although the event was initiated by Arthur Grillo, an avid runner who wanted to create a way for the school and community to celebrate fitness and raise funds for Schofield’s PTO, sequential years of parent volunteers such as Nina Pascale and Kristina Rivers have sustained the event and maintained both its quality and success.
Schofield’s Road Race and Fun Fair draws attendance from the larger Wellesley community as well. Families from the Sprague, Bates and Hardy communities were spotted having fun and participating in supporting their neighboring school’s PTO; one parent said, “we’re from Sprague School, but happy to participate in this event - we look forward to the Road Race each year. It gets us ready and in shape for summer!” In this year’s Wonderful Weekend Parade, Schofield’s float was a giant sneaker, leading up to the Road Race and Fun Fair, entitled, “Catch Us If You Can.”
Since 2004, the McAvinn Trophy has been awarded to the first female runner who finishes the 5K course. The trophy is dedicated to the memory of Julie McAvinn (1963-2004), who was a member of the Schofield community. The women’s record still belongs to Kathy Fleming, who ran the race in 17:48 in 2007. This year’s overall winner was Matthew Cervon, who completed the 5K Road Race in 17:30 and is a Schofield alumnus.
Last year’s overall winner was 16-year-old Ben Matejka, who finished in 17:29. For more information, visit www.schofieldroadrace.org.
