Trail committee to hold second

annual race

By Sharon Palmer
Special to the Town Common

BRIMFIELD – Who needs Heartbreak Hill when there’s already a five-kilometer race in our own backyard presented by the Brimfield Trail Committee (BTC)?
In its second year, the race takes place Saturday, April 24 at 9 a.m., at the Brimfield Trail head on Five Bridge Road. It features a gravel-based trail with mostly flat terrain, throughout a scenic wooded area. The converted rail trail runs along the Quinebaug River.
There is also a one-mile walk for those preferring a leisurely pace, but still want to take part in this community event.
According to the race’s organizer, Chris Rabbitt, a Brimfield resident and BTC member, one of the best aspects of putting on this event is “seeing the wealth of local interest and involvement,” including sponsors, registrants, and volunteers.
This year’s race is presented by Country Bank, the major sponsor, and is also supported by approximately 20 area businesses and organizations that have donated cash and prizes.
“Last year’s race generated about $1,500, and we’re on pace (no pun intended) with that this year,” Rabbitt said.
There are four age- and gender-specific prize categories, including under 18 and 50-plus. Last year’s race saw 45 runners and walkers combined; the racers “ran the gamut” from first-time runners all the way to experienced Boston Marathoners.
There were children, seniors, and members of Tantasqua’s Track team and the Central Mass Striders running club, among others.
Many local residents came out to take part, as well as people from as far away as the Boston area.
“I really enjoyed this race. It’s a very unique setting, steeped in history, being a former rail line. I was impressed by the competition, and it was great to see less experienced runners, there too,” Theo Kindermans, the second-place winner over all, said.
Countless volunteer hours have gone into making the race successful, with ongoing trail maintenance for general-purpose use, as well as preparations specifically for the 5K Run and Walk.
“Residents of the community as well as members of the Brimfield Trail Committee have been extremely generous in giving much of their time and effort, even donating work with their machinery, such as backhoes and dump trucks, to make the trail a great recreational area for the community,” Rabbitt said.
Despite the recent flooding in the area, the trail is in “surprisingly great shape” for the race; there will be another workday on Saturday, April 17, according to Rabbitt, to “do some raking to remove pine cones and debris, and make some final preparations.”
When asked about the inspiration for staging this event, the organizer said, “At one of our BTC meetings we were looking for creative ways to generate more revenue for the trail,” and a race seemed like a good idea since it could increase awareness about this valuable open space as well as funds.
Proceeds from the races benefit the BTC’s “reclamation efforts” which include refurbishing and increasing trails, area cleanup, and capital-type items such as benches, signage, and parking.
After all the footwork done for the first Brimfield Trail 5K Run/Walk in 2009, Rabbit said that organizing the race has gone “much smoother” for those working on this year’s event.
The race/walk takes place rain or shine. With a few tents, however, the registration table and post-race refreshments will stay dry. Registration is $10 if received by April 17, or $15 thereafter. The first 50 participants to pre-register will be awarded a free t-shirt.
Anyone wishing to volunteer for the workday April 17 or to join the Brimfield Trail Committee is encouraged to contact the BTC at www.brimfieldtrail.org; race/walk registration forms can also be downloaded from the site.

Sharon Palmer writes from Brimfield and is a part-time Assistant Director at Hitchcock Free Academy.