By Beth David, Editor
The Fairhaven Father’s Day 5K Road race turned 50 this year, facing a sunny but cool day on 6/16/24. The race starts and ends at Hastings Middle School. Organizers said almost 1500 registered. According to racewire.com, 1348 finished.
This year, the day included lots of tributes to the number 50, including giving out drinking glasses to the first 50 fathers who ran, mugs, and special prizes to the 50th place winner, 150th, 250th….you get the idea.
Awards also went to the person with the oldest race t-shirt, Kenny Rogers, who had one from the mid 1970s. It was so old it had no date on it. Mr. Rogers also had the oldest race mug, from 1989.
Marty Flynn was recognized as a long time volunteer.
He told the crowd it was inspiring to see how many young people ran the race. He thanked the Days family, who founded the race and the many volunteers.
“That’s what makes a great race,” said Mr. Flynn.
The race committee will also place a marker commemorating the 50th anniversary at the finish line at Hastings Middle School.
“It went by too quick,” said Allen Days of Days Sports, who founded the race 50 years ago, then quickly went into runner mode and noted that the day was perfect for a race.
“You could tell no one was hurting, said Mr. Days. “It was a good day for running.”
He also said he wanted to thank the people “who make it happen,” the “dedicated volunteers and the sponsors.”
After the race, India and Patricia took some pictures to commemorate the day.
India said it was a little “challenging.” It was her second race; she ran the Mother’s Day race last month.
“I feel good,” said Patricia, noting it was her first race.
Top finisher was Gilmar Lopez Silvestre, 35, of Brockton, in 14:32. Second place went to Will Benoit, 21, of Fairhaven in 14:51. And third place finisher was Lowell Copps, 17, of Mattapoisett in 16:24. First woman over the line was Orla Rocha, 24, of Peabody in 16:45, who was also fifth overall. Second woman was Nora Blodgett, 23, of Dartmouth, in 18:05. Third woman over the line was Naomi Cass, 21, of Westport, in 18:16.
The Fairhaven High School music department performed the national anthem, and the Fairhaven Village Militia shot off the small cannon for the official start.
Complete race results are available at https://my.racewire.com/results/37906
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- Kenny Rogers receives a special award for wearing the oldest Fairhaven Road Race shirt, with this undated beauty from the mid 1970s, after the 50th anniversary of the race on 6/16/24. Photo by Beth David.
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- L-R: David Raymond, 39, of New Bedford, approaches the finish line with Julian Raymond and Alexander Alfonso, in the Fairhaven Father’s Day Road Race on 6/16/24. Photo by Beth David.
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- Moe Bourque, 82, of Lakeville, approaches the finish line of the Fairhaven Father’s Day Road Race on 6/16/24 ending with a time of 37:10. Photo by Beth David
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- Erin Murphy, 29, of Fairhaven, carries Alanah Murphy, 9, around the corner as they approach the finish line of the Fairhaven Father’s Day Road Race on 6/16/24 to both finish in 37:42. Photo by Beth David.
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- Kathryn Johnson, 42, of Acushnet, and Nora Johnson, 9, approach the finish line of the Fairhaven Father’s Day Road Race on 6/16/24 ending with times of 35:40 and 35:42. Photo by Beth David.
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- Noah DaCosta, 7, of New Bedford, has a big smile on his face as he approaches the finish line of the Fairhaven FatherÕs Day Road Race on 6/16/24 ending with a time of 37:06. Photo by Beth David
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- Runners of the Fairhaven Father’s Day Road Race fill the street at the start on 6/16/24, the 50th anniversary of the race. Photo by Glenn C. Silva for the Fairhaven Neighborhood News.
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- L-R: Erica Durocher, 32, of New Bedford, cheers on Charlie Bergeron, 7, as they approach the finish line of the Fairhaven Father’s Day Road Race on 6/16/24 both ending with a time of 39:55. Photo by Beth David
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- Kim MacLean, 64, of Fairhaven, raises her arms up as she approaches the finish line of the Fairhaven Father’s Day Road Race on 6/16/24 ending with a time of 36:17. Photo by Beth David
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