By Beth David, Editor
The third annual Lance Corporal Matthew R. Rodriguez Run To Remember 5K brought 158 runners and walkers to the streets of Fairhaven on a sunny Sunday, 11/3/19.
Fairhaven’s own Shane McNamara, 16, took top honors, finishing the race in 18:19. Jason Foster, 24, also from Fairhaven, took second place overall in 22:16; and Christopher Cutter, 51, of East Bridgewater took third in 21:03. First woman over the line was Angela Mota, 25, of Somerset, coming in nine overall in 24:49.
The race began and ended at Fort Phoenix in Fairhaven, and included lots of fun, prizes, t-shirts and comaraderie.
In a sad, but noteworthy point of information, Paul Vidal and his wife of 47 years, Carol, ran/walked the race. Mr. Vidal is the pilot who was killed when his Cessna airplane crashed in Rural Cemetery in New Bedford the very next day, 11/4/19.
At the race, Paul, 74, and Carol, 69, told photographer Glenn C. Silva that they purposely crossed the finish line together, instead of vying to beat each other out (see photo this page).
The race benefits the LCpl Matthew Rodriguez Memorial Fund, which was started by Matthew’s family after he was killed in Afghanistan on 12/11/13.
Matthew’s lifelong dream was to become a Marine and he proudly served as a Combat Engineer with the Mobility Assault Company of the First Combat Engineer Battalion.
Matt was known for his infectious smile, which often got him into trouble. Learn more at www.thesmilingwarrior.org or email lauren@thesmilingwarrior.org.
For race results visit https://my.racewire.com/results/36168
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Click here to download the entire 11/7/19 issue: 11-07-19 MattRodRace
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- Paul and Carol Vidal, who have been married for 47 years, make sure they cross the finish line together at the third annual LCpl Matthew Rodriques Run to Remember 5K on Sunday, 11/3/19, at Fort Phoenix in Fairhaven. Photo by Glenn C. Silva for the Neighb News.
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- Members of the Mass. Titans travel softball team show support for the cause, with most of them participating in the third annual LCpl Matthew Rodriques Run to Remember 5K on Sunday, 11/3/19, at Fort Phoenix in Fairhaven. Photo by Glenn C. Silva for the Neighb News.
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- L-R: Don Brisson carries a United States Marine Corps flag and talks to Toben Medeiros while they walk the third annual LCpl Matthew Rodriques Run to Remember 5K on Sunday, 11/3/19, at Fort Phoenix in Fairhaven. Photo by Glenn C. Silva for the Neighb News.
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- Heather Viveiros crosses the finish line carrying an American flag in the third annual LCpl Matthew Rodriques Run to Remember 5K on Sunday, 11/3/19, at Fort Phoenix in Fairhaven. Photo by Glenn C. Silva for the Neighb News.
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- Runners pass under the American flag hanging from the Fairhaven Fire Department’s Ladder 1 as they head to the finish line at the third annual Lance Corporal Matthew R. Rodriguez Run to Remember on Sunday, 11/3/19, at Fort Phoenix in Fairhaven. Photo by Glenn C. Silva for the Neighb News.
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- Adam Rodriguez, 23, raises his arms in triumph as he approaches the finish with (L-R) Nicole Corey, 16; Lucy Brum, 54; and Meaghan Brum, 22; on 11/3/19, in the race that was named after his brother, LCpl Matthew R. Rodriguez, and held in Fairhaven at Fort Phoenix. Photo by Glenn C. Silva for the Neighb News.
