Wednesday, June 21st was the first official day of summer and the perfect night for the 23rd Annual Wayside Run For Fun. The 5K walk/run has become a popular Marlborough tradition offering a challenging, hilly course with a post-race, poolside cookout for all participants complete with a DJ and awards ceremony.
The inaugural race was held in June of 1995. For the first ten years, the race benefited the City of Marlborough’s DARE Program raising a combined total of just over $20,000.00 for the program. In 2005 when the DARE Program fell to budget cuts, the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Scholarship fund became the new beneficiary. The race continued to grow in popularity among Wayside members and local running enthusiasts recruiting more than 80 race sponsors. In the 12 years from 2005 to 2016, the race raised a combined total of $108,000.00 for the Chamber’s Scholarship fund.
With several new race sponsors and more than 200 runners and walkers participating in this year’s event, we’re hoping to add another $8,000.00 to that total. When that many people can get together for a little exercise and fun on a Wednesday night in June and raise money to help local students – everybody wins!
Out of 225 runners and walkers, the first to cross the finish line was Wayside’s very own Scott Vander Molen in a time of 17 minutes flat! Congratulations to Scott and all participants of the 2017 Wayside Run for Fun!
