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Darien Road Race: Fighting cancer step by step for 30 years

Written by Lynsey Santimays

The year was 1979. It was the era of disco, Nike sneakers were less than a year old, and the second of the “Rocky” movies had just hit theaters.

“I saw Rocky in the movie theaters,” said Mary Green. “It was that movie that made me decide to take up running.”

Running was becoming very “in fashion” during that time, according to Green, and she and her friends were trying out the roads to see how far their feet could take them.

During the same time as her passion for running was developing, Green was also a supporter of the American Cancer Society. “I finally put two and two together, and came up with the idea to have the American Cancer Society sponsor a road race to raise money.”

By combining her love of running and her desire fight cancer, the Darien Road Race was born. And now, it is weeks away from celebrating its 30th anniversary on Sept. 20.

Since that first running 30 years ago, the Darien Road Race— originally called the Race for Hope— has raised nearly $800,000 to support various cancer organizations. “The race has become just more and more a community-spirited event,” Green said. “It is really phenomenal.”

And while disco is now a thing of the past, Nike has grown to be an athletics monopoly, and there have been four more “Rocky” movies in theaters, not much has changed with the Road Race.

It is still a 10-kilometer race (6.2 miles), with a 1.5 mile fun run called the Loop. Its proceeds continue to go toward cancer research and local cancer organizations. “The only thing that’s changed over the years is probably the runners,” Green said with a laugh.

The race takes place on the same scenic route, along the water in the Pear Tree Point area. “It is a great place, quite picturesque,” Joan Hewson, a long-time race volunteer, said.

While the scenery is the same as it was 30 years ago, this year, runners will be seeing it from a different direction. The route of the runners will be reversed in order to alleviate some of the traffic burdens placed on residents in the Long Neck Point area.

The original race route started at the end of Long Neck Point Road and continued onto Goodwives River Road before cutting through the neighborhood along Sunswyck Road and Andrews Road. Racers would then turn left onto Old King’s Highway South and merge onto the Post Road for a short distance before turning left onto Ring End Road. Runners turn right onto Pear Tree Point Road and the race used to end at Pear Tree Point Beach.

This route placed a large burden on the Long Neck Point area because roads had to be completely closed during the race. The reversal should allow for more effective management of both the runners and the vehicular traffic, and will allow for Ring’s End Road, Long Neck Point Road, and Pear Tree Point Road to be re-opened to traffic shortly after the race begins.

“We got together with the selectmen and the town police when some of the residents expressed concern,” Green said. “We were trying to sort out how to run a safer race that could accommodate the residents’ needs as well.

“This is an excellent improvement to the race. We are actually scratching our heads wondering why we didn’t think of this 30 years ago.”

Another thing that hasn’t changed over the years is the impact the race has and all the people that it reaches.

Joan Hewson, a Road Race volunteer for almost 20 years and a cancer survivor herself, has fond memories of when she first ran in the race.

“Before I got involved behind the scenes, I ran in the race along Jim Fixx — a famous running guru at the time — and he taught me how to run hills,” she said. “It was very inspirational.”

She’s remained involved since that running because of her passion for helping other cancer patients and for trying to find a cure.

“When I first got involved volunteering, I had just had some surgery and radiation, and I was coming out the other side,” she said. “I felt like it was my time to pay back.”

This year, the proceeds from the race will once again benefit the Community Fund of Darien, the Bennett Cancer Center at Stamford Hospital and the Whittingham Cancer Center at Norwalk Hospital.

Special activities are planned for this year’s running in order to help celebrate the 30-year milestone.

Balloons and old Road Race T-shirts will adorn the stage at the end of the race. There will also be activity booths set up by some of the race’s sponsors, and a ceremony held prior to the race’s start.

The three living, former first selectmen will be at the 30th annual running of the Road Race. The race has seen five different selectmen in its lifetime.

And what is a celebration without a birthday cake? Methodist Family Center Preschool took care of that by providing a large birthday cake and cupcakes to help all of the spectators and runners share in this momentous event.

The running of the race couldn’t be possible without its help from several town organizations. This year, financial contributions were made by Halstead Property Wheeler Real Estate, as well as other sponsors including, Tibbetts Keating & Butler Attorneys, Atria Darien, BMW of Darien, David Lerner Associates, David Osherow, DDS, the Moore Center for Rehabilitation, Heights Pizza, Merrill Lynch, Methodist Preschool and Lucy Active Wear.

In addition, the Darien Boat Club will provide a tent and use of its beachfront property, while the Darien Lions Club is providing refreshments and food.

The Darien Times is the official media sponsor for the race. As a grand prize for the top individual fundraiser, BMW of Darien is contributing a 24-speed, lightweight aluminum BMW bicycle.

“It has been a pleasure being involved in an event that the entire community really gets behind,” Green said. “The cause is so important, and it is just terrific.”

Anyone wishing to run in the race can register in advance for $25, or on race day for $30. Pre-registration can be done online at active.com

If you are not looking to run in the race, Green invites you to come down to Pear Tree Point to share in the festivities and cheer on the runners as they near the finish line.

“It is going to be a great day,” she said.

“Everyone has been fantastic in making this race what it is, and I look forward to celebrating our 35th and 40th runnings,” Green added.

For more information regarding the Darien Road Race, contact the Community Fund at 655-8775; lisa@communityfunddarien.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; or go to active.com or darienroadrace.org.

Post Date: 8/29/2009

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