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By Kathleen Kirwin / Staff Photographer
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Road Race earns funds for less fortunate

By Kathleen Kirwin / Staff Writer

Fri May 09, 2008, 01:14 PM EDT

Westford -
Hundreds of runners overcame the cold and participated in the ninth annual Westford Road Race Sunday.

Even though some runners sported gloves and hats many said they were happy running under the less-than-ideal conditions. 

“I’d rather run in colder weather. Running in the heat can be really exhausting,” said Mithali Shenoy, 14. Mithali ran in the family fun run with her sister Rupali, 10. The girls’ father Vikram ran the 10K.

“I think people enjoy this event so much because there is something for everyone in the family to participate in,” said race organizer Lori Cogliano.

The event was sponsored by The Westford Charitable Foundation, Inc. It was the second year the Westford 5K has been designated as a USATF, or U.S.A.Track & Field New England Championship Race, and is now part of what is referred to as the USATF-New England Grand Prix, which also sanctions and certifies road races throughout the country. Westford was chosen to host the championship because its races are well-organized and well-attended.

“We were really honored to be designated USATF,” said Cogliano.

Participants in the family fun run ran past the 5 and 10K runners prepared to race near Abbot Field. The crowd cheered enthusiastically as the runners passed. Kids of all ages flew by, their faces red from effort with parents pushing strollers not far behind. 

Other runners socialized as they stretched in preparation for the longer races. Participants had the essential gear: good running shoes, a warm shirt and an iPod.

“IPods are so important for keeping your motivation up during the tough moments,” said Westford runner Mary Khederian. 

Khederian ran in the Westford Road Race for the first time in 2006. Khederian ran with her friend Ellen Dagle who has participated in the past four years of the run. Their daughters also participated in the family fun run together.

Khederian’s daughter Amy, 9, had not participated in the run before and was inspired to run by Dagle’s daughter Jacqueline, 11.

“They both play a lot of sports so this should feel like a practice for them,” said Khederian. 

The participants for both the 5K and 10K started at Abbot School and finished their run on Main Street in front of the J.V. Fletcher Library. 

Friends and families of the runners were lined up along the Town Common and library side of Main Street to cheer on the participants.

There were many running teams from all over Massachusetts including runners from various parts of New England. One notable participant was Heidi Westerling, 27, of Acworth, N.H. who qualified to run in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trial. Westerling placed first in the female 5K with a time of 17:01, setting a new course record.

After the race, the runners were treated to free healthy snacks on the Common and music from disk jockey Tom Noonan. There was free Richies Slush available to everyone attending the race.

"We've always had free Richies Slush at the race. I think it's a nice treat for all the runners and their families," said Cogliano.

The road race started nine years ago as a fundraising event for the Parish Center for the Arts. Over the years, it has grown and branched out to other charities. In the nine years the run has taken place they have given back more than $100,000. The money goes to people in Westford who have been the victims of medical hardships, fire, and other unfortunate circumstances. 

"The nice thing is the money goes to people who may not normally receive charitable funding," said volunteer Amy McGrath.

McGrath is a part of a core set of volunteers who have been with Cogliano since the road race first started.

"I could not do this without the volunteers. Everyone has been so awesome this year," said Cogliano.

Watch the video at www.westfordeagle.com.
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