Run For The Roses Coming Up

Volunteers from the Grafton area are busy planning the 26th Annual Run for the Roses to be held on Sunday, August 14, at Grafton Lakes State Park. The race is a well established and popular annual event.  People from all over the northeast come to participate in the 5k foot race starting at 9 am. Additional events include the 2.5 mile Scenic Nature Walk starting at 8 am and the Kids 1 Mile Fun Run starting at 10 am.  All proceeds for the events will benefit the Grafton Community Library and the Courtney Carelli Foundation for Literacy.
The 5K Race course follows the Park Entrance Road, continues along Route 2, around the Town Park and back into the Park on Long Pond Road.  A medal and a bouquet of roses will be awarded to the top male and female runners. All entrants receive a T-shirt, a rose and a book. (The first 150 pre-registrants will receive a long sleeve T-shirt.)  Entry fees for the 5k are $15 pre-registration and $20 day of the race.
The 2.5 mile Scenic Nature Walk begins in the main parking lot, proceeds to Shaver Pond and returns. The Kids 1 Mile Fun Run begins in the main parking lot, proceeds through the woods and along the beach. To foster the spirit of participation, ribbons and books will be awarded to all runners and walkers. The time clock will be running at the finish line for the convenience of participants. The entry fees are $10 pre-registration for the Scenic walk and $15 the day of the race.  For the Kids 1 Mile Fun Run pre-registration is $6 and the day of the race entry fee is $10.
Awards are presented at the finish line immediately following the race. Refreshments are provided and showers are located near the finish line. The Park offers beach and picnic facilities – plan to stay all day!
Mail in registration forms are available in many locations throughout the area, as well as on the Grafton Library’s website, graftoncommunitylibrary.org.  For more information, call the Grafton Community Library at 518-279-0580 or the Grafton Lakes State Park Office at 518-279-1155. The mail-in pre-registration deadline is August 8.  Runners, walkers and the Fun Run participants may pick up their packets at 7:30 am at the Park’s main parking lot on the day of the race.
The Run for the Roses would not be possible without the generous support of its sponsors.  Everyone is encouraged to come out and participate and, most importantly, support the Grafton Community Library, one of the best libraries around!