Lenox Loop Race kicks off Saturday and needs runners

LENOX – The fourth annual Lenox Loop Road Race kicks off this Saturday morning at 10 a.m. and is looking for runners to sign up.

This fundraiser, for the Lenox Middle and High School class of 2016, has about 80 runners signed up as of Sunday and is hoping to reach 200 by race time.

“It’s a fundraiser promoting fun, family, and fitness,” said race organizer Karen Tibbetts. “[My daughter and I] talked about what can we do to raise money that doesn’t involve knocking on our neighbors doors selling stuff.”

A local annual road race was the perfect solution, as nothing better gathers a community together for a local charitable cause on a Saturday morning like a race.

The class of 2016 founded the race as a way to raise funds for the school’s eighth grade trip, senior trip, junior prom and yearbook, but it has also morphed with its success into the creation of a philanthropy group known as the Walker Fund.

The Walker Fund helps offset school costs for those in need, such as a trip with Nature’s Classroom.

A few of the local sponsors this year include Berkshire Orthopedic Associates, Berkshire Pediatric Dentistry, Value Source International, Yankee Septic Services, The Olde Heritage Tavern, Toole Insurance Agency, Lee Bank, Clifford Oil and Propane, Gymfest of the Berkshires, Soccer Domain and the Lenox Police Association as well as the Ellrodt and Tibbetts family, Michael Charles Artisan Builders and Nicholas L. Parsenios – Attorney at Law.

The 3.5 mile race that starts and ends at LMMHS, is a USTF-sanctioned event that travels down Walker Street, then along Crystal Street and up Pine Knoll Road before returning to the high school.

Safety is a prime concern, as Officer Billy Colvin, father of 2016 class member Patrick Colvin, helps organize the safety aspect of the race course by organizing emergency volunteers and vehicles.

“[Officer Colvin] has been a Godsend,” Tibbetts said.

For those who remembers last year’s competitive Lenox Loop Race, three-time winner Kent Lemme narrowly defeated Lenox High cross-country and track star Scott Carpenter, leaving Lemme to say afterwards “that it’s not if [Carpenter] will beat me, it’s when.”

The two will head off against each other on Saturday, even though Carpenter has a meet on Friday to contend with.

For the women, Michelle Kroboth from the Pittsfield Running Center looks to defend her three-time title against budding track star Emily Tibbetts.

These race results will be surely talked about around town, if these young stars can outlast their aging mentors for victory. Organizers encourage the community to come out and support this worthy cause by either running, walking or supporting the race.

Posted by Tim Davis on April 25, 2013. Filed under High School Sports,Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry