Hit the Road on Mother's Day

On May 12, the Melrose Running Club will host the 16th annual Melrose Run for Women. This 3.5-mile, women's-only road race has become a local Mother's Day tradition, with many families running or walking the course together.
 
This family-friendly event begins with two races for the littlest runners. Kids aged five and under will run a 50 to 100 meter straight dash, while kids six and older will run about one quarter mile. The Kids' Races will begin at approximately 8:30 a.m. at Pine Banks Park.

The Women's Race begins at 9 a.m. at Pine Banks Park in Melrose. The course winds through the peaceful Swain's Pond section of Melrose. Children await all of the finishers, handing flowers to each woman as she crosses the finish line.
 
All of the proceeds benefit Melrose Alliance Against Violence's Community Mentoring Program, serving middle school youth in need of support.
 
To register for the race, visit the Melrose Running Club website. 

Business Sponsors Needed

The Melrose Run for Women truly is a community event, and it wouldn't be possible without the generosity of local businesses. Business of all sizes are invited to serve as race sponsors. All sponsors may supply materials for inclusion in the race packet and request display space at the event.

Platinum Sponsors (those donating $250 or more) will have their company logo printed on the back of the official race t-shirt, which is given to all race participants. Title Sponsors (those donating $5,000 or more) will have their logo printed on the front of the race t-shirt, as well as on the race banner, application, and official website.

For more information about sponsoring this year's Race, contact Alastair Drummond by calling 617-851-4212 or emailing ajdrummond@melroserunningclub.com. The deadline for sponsorships is April 12.

Honor a Woman in Your Life With a Personal Sponsorship

You can honor a special woman in your life with a $100 Personal Sponsorship of this year's race, whether it's your mother, grandmother, sister, or friend. Her name will be printed on the official race t-shirt, given to all race participants, and a card acknowledging your donation will be sent to those being honored.
 
Many men and women use these personal sponsorships to honor their mothers and grandmothers, but they also can be used to honor another important woman in your life. Attorney Elizabeth Keeley, who recently retired from the Middlesex County District Attorney's Office, did that. In 2006, she met a woman named Lisa who was a victim of domestic abuse in a criminal case that Keeley was prosecuting.
 
"In preparation for what we thought would be a trial, I spent a lot of time getting to know her, and I really came to admire and respect her, and love her for the woman that she is," Keeley said.
 
Keeley and Lisa walked the race together one year, and then the next year, after the criminal case had settled, Keeley honored Lisa by making her a Personal Sponsor of the race. "I didn't say anything to her about dedicating the race to her. Her name was on the t-shirt, and she was so surprised when she saw it, so surprised, so honored, and so appreciative," Keeley says.
 
Personal sponsorships can be purchased online or by calling MAAV at 781-662-2010. The deadline is April 12.