Congratulations to our Falmouth Road Race Team Latham!

Congratulations to Team Latham for completing yesterday’s New Balance Falmouth Road Race on behalf of Latham Centers! Thank you to Gerry Pouliot, Melissa Soares-Zariqi, Steve Bebrin, Jeri Bebrin, Ron Goguen, Katrina Fryklund, and Cat Kershaw – we deeply appreciate all of the effort and discipline required to train for the race and to meet your fundraising goals. Thanks also to the many volunteers who made yesterday’s race so spectacular!

The morning started with cool weather in the 70s with a heavy fog covering the course; perfect running weather. Towards the end of the race, the fog lifted, the sun came out, and with the sun beating down on them, the runners had an extra challenge getting up and over that final hill, especially with the humidity. But they made it and we are so proud of all of our Team Latham runners! Their dedication to training for the race, fundraising, and helping us raise awareness about Latham Centers’ mission is exceptional.

The New Balance Falmouth Road Race was established in 1973 and has become one of the premier running events of the summer season. Each year the race draws an international field of Olympians, elite runners, and recreational runners out to enjoy the scenic 7-mile seaside course. The non-profit Falmouth Road Race organization is dedicated to promoting health and fitness for all in its community. Proceeds from the race each year support youth athletic programs in the town of Falmouth and other non-profit community groups. As part of the Falmouth Road Race’s Numbers for Nonprofits program again this year, Team Latham has raised over $8,000 for Special Olympics training and participation for our students and adult residents – and donations are still coming in!

Race day was so exciting. An estimated 75,000 spectators lined the course and finish area to cheer the 12,800 official race entrants. The streets were lined with friends, families, and co-workers supporting the runners and their personal goals – and goals for their causes. Children had lemonade stands set up, hoping to make a few dollars from thirsty spectators searching for the perfect viewing spot. Anxiously waiting for the first participant to go past, the crowds got more and more excited to see everyone; especially their team members. When the first participant went past, the crowd erupted in cheers. And the cheering was just as enthusiastic the entire time. It was a truly magical sight to see people so dedicated to their cause. Some favorite moments included getting high-fives from the runners; runners who encouraged the crowds to cheer louder by raising their arms up; knowing that our cheering might just be the encouragement participants needed to make it to the finish line; and cheering on the incredible wheelchair athletes and wheelchair duos who competed in the 45th running of the Wheelchair Division (presented by Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Cape Cod). What a wonderful reminder of Falmouth Road Race’s leadership in launching a wheelchair division decades ago, ensuring an equal quality of opportunity for all athletes.

Post-race was just as exciting. Participants gathered just past the finish line on the field filled with vendors, free samples, and plenty of photo-ops to capture the day.

Congratulations to all the non-profits, participants, and our very dedicated Team Latham! We are honored to be part of the Falmouth Road Race and thankful for all the hard work everyone puts into this event to make it such a success. It’s not too late to donate to Team Latham – please visit https://www.crowdrise.com/donate/event/new-balance-falmouth-road-race?lang=en-us.

Submitted by Diana Morgan, Development Associate, pictured here with her daughters.