by Ben Kaplan
6/13/2016

This past Sunday marked the second annual Holliston Rail Trail 5k. The event, put on by the Friends of Holliston Trails, was sponsored by Griffin Electric, Roche Brothers, Encompass Fitness, Gateway Muscular Therapy and New Balance. According to the organization’s website, the goal of the Friends and its related committee is to “establish a multi-purpose trail system through the town of Holliston to connect with adjacent towns for a 20-mile looped trail network system.”

Fundraisers such as the 5k help garner both community support and money for the many ongoing projects that come with maintaining the trail. Claudette Fowler, one of the events’ organizers, estimated that the event raised over $5,000 just from the pre-registrations and sponsorships, not including the large amount of event-day registrations.

“All the profits are going to go towards safety improvements,” says Fowler, “Last year we used the funds to help put in the flashing lights on Summer Street, this year we aren’t exactly sure what they will be used on yet but it will most likely have to do with making the trail safer.” One of the recent projects on the trail was putting handrailings on the small bridges at Exchange street and Arch street.

The event itself was a 1k race for children and the main 5k race. Both races began at Blair Square. Different from last year, where a large portion of the race took place in Holliston’s Wenakeening Woods, this year’s race mainly stuck to flat ground. “Since the trail is a family oriented place, we wanted to make the event something you could do with your kids.” It was estimated that over 250 people showed up to run.

Runners of the 5k ran a loop from Railroad Street, reconnecting to the trail on Exchange street, taking a short detour on Winthrop street, then running to Phipps Tunnel, the large stone archway and landmark on the trail, and back. Kids participating in the 1k ran the .6 miles to the Arch street bridge and back.

Below are the results of the 5k race:

Overall Winners (Male and Female):

-Dan Stevens (20 yrs old) with a time of 17 minutes, 20 seconds

-Michaela Kathern with a time of 19 minutes, 25 seconds

Second Place

-Michael Fowler

-Laura O’Reagan

Third Place

-Eric Murphy

-Sophia Engle

Over 40 Winners:

-Tommy Lee with a time of 19 minutes, 17 seconds

-Jen Rosenfeld with a time of 22 minutes, 17 seconds