09/12/2024
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR RACE DAY
RUN NUMBER AND SHIRT PICK UP:
Please visit the registration tent for your bib pick-up when you arrive. Shirts will be available for the first 350 registered runners. As always, we do the best to provide you with your shirt size, however your shirt size is not guaranteed.
• Bib Pick-Up is Race Day: Saturday, September 14, 2024, from 8:30AM-9:30AM
• All walkers and runners must register. SAME DAY registration ($45) is available - Cash, check, and Venmo only
• Families of Fallen Servicemembers will have a separate line at registration. If you are a Gold Star Family who is pre-registered or needs to register same day, please go to the Gold Star Family registration line.
EVENT SCHEDULE/PRE-RACE TRIBUTE:
• 9:30AM-10:30 AM: Tribute to the Fallen: All are invited to join Gold Star Family Members, military, local and state leaders for a ceremony which will feature a memorial name reading of the names of Fallen who are honored at this year's Run.
• 10:40AM: A bus will leave promptly at 10:40AM to transport Gold Star Families to their Hero Marker along the course. The buses will be staged on Eastern Avenue (near the start line/in front of The American Legion). The Hero Markers are in alphabetical order. The buses will circle back behind the last runner/walkers to pick up any family members wishing to get on the buses and take them back to the finish line. The last bus will loop at 12:15PM.
• 11:00 AM: Run start! (Wheelchair division followed by runner division followed by walkers. Strollers, wagons are welcome)
COURSE:
This is a MEMORIAL RUN whose purpose is to recognize local Service Members who have Fallen since 9/11. We have police officers on the course, but we want all runners to be aware they are running on roads that are open to traffic.
Walkers will start after the runners and will need to stay on the sidewalk after the roads open up.
• Each mile will be marked.
• A water station will be located on Rustcraft Rd/Central Avenue and one located at Shiretown Rd/Madison St
• The course will be well marked with the Hero Markers and arrows
• Portable bathrooms will be available at the start and finish and on Rustcraft Road.
The course route is: Start on Eastern Avenue; Right on East St; Right on Jersey Street; Left on Central Avenue; Left on Rustcraft Rd; Straight on Jefferson Street; Left on Shiretown Road; Left on Madison Street; Right on East Street; Left on Eastern Avenue; Right into the driveway of Barnes Memorial Park; Finish.
The run will be timed by Second Wind Timing company. Race results will be posted online at MilitaryFriends.org.
HERO MARKERS:
Hero Markers honoring the Fallen will be displayed along the entire course.
Run For The Fallen participants: We encourage you to bring a flag to walk with, wear a T-shirt in memory of the person you are running in honor of, and most importantly take time to greet family members standing near their Hero Markers. In previous years, runners/walkers have done push-ups at Hero Markers, saluted or touched the top of the marker when passing by, and hugged family members.
Gold Star Families/Families of the Fallen: You are welcome to take part in the Run in any way you wish. Some families run/walk the whole course. Others take the bus to travel to/from their loved ones Hero Marker. Others travel to the Hero Markers via bus and then walk the remainder of the course. Please feel free to bring foldable chairs to sit by your Hero Marker. You are welcome to take them on the bus/van. If you wish to return to the start/finish from the course simply wave at the bus drivers that will be making on constant loops on the course until 12:15PM.
Please do not remove the Hero Markers at any time. Each Marker will be picked up by our volunteers following the Run so that it may be displayed at next year's Run.
RECEIVE FREE SWAG:
This year, all participants who raise $250 online by 9/12/24 will receive a limited-edition camo hat or long sleeve race tech shirt (sizes available first come first serve). Find your personal online fundraising link here and search your name.
SWAG:
T-shirts will be available for the first 350 registered participants. Limited edition hats, YETI's, and long sleeve tech shirts will be available for sale at the run. Cash, check or Venmo only.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Please help us share photos with other runners/walkers and most especially Families of the Fallen who are unable to be in attendance by using the event hashtag
PARKING:
Parking is available at 2 locations close to the park. There is NO PARKING at the park so please use the lots below. Also, please do not park on the road or side streets of the race course. See map below.
• General Parking: Dedham Middle School, 40 Whiting Avenue, Dedham, MA (Please enter from East Street, use GPS address 490 East St. Dedham)
• Reserved parking for Families of Fallen and those needing accessible parking (first come, first serve): The Dedham VFW, 84 Eastern Avenue, Dedham, MA (next to Barnes Memorial Park)
POST RACE FESTIVITIES (UNTIL 1PM):
• Bring your family to cheer you on! We will have many family activities, including Touch-A-Truck, Military Vehicles, and more!
• Complimentary food and beverage is provided to all registered runners/walkers, volunteers, Families of the Fallen, and all kids by Chuck Wagon, Tex's BBQ, and Thanks for Yanks.
• Please make sure to stop by our Veterans and Gold Star Family Support Resources including the MA National Guard, Massachusetts Veterans' Services, Survivor Outreach Services and more!
OTHER:
• Water will available post-run only. Bring your own if you need to hydrate prior to the start of the run!
• DOGS ARE NOT ALLOWED at Barnes Memorial Park per the Town of Dedham. Service dogs are welcome.
