Events
1.5 Mile Walk
Description
Third annual 5K RUN & 1.5 Mile WALK IN MEMORY OF SUE WILLAND!
Date: June 8, 2024
Location: Parker Middle School, Chelmsford, MA
Start Time: 10AM
Description: Please join us in the 3rd Annual celebration of Sue Willand on the morning of June 8th for a 5K run or 1.5 mile walk in her hometown of Chelmsford, MA. Sue loved to run in local community road races having participated in hundreds over the course of her life. We invite you to join us in remembering Sue by doing what she loved to do!! We welcome everyone to join and encourage strollers and our 4 legged friends to participate as well. (Dogs must be on a leash at all times)
Packet Pickup/Race Day Reg: Available on race day only from 8:45AM to 10AM.
Fees:
$20 until 4/6
$25 until 5/4
$30 through 6/1
$35 on race week
$40 on race day
Youth 15 & Under and 1.5 Mile Walk – $20 through 6/7, $25 on race day
Course: Starting and ending at Parker Middle School in Chelmsford, MA
Course Route: Goes along Graniteville Road, turns right on School Street, then right on Crooked Spring Rd
Then it will turn right on Radcliffe Rd, around Charlemont Ct back to Radcliffe Rd, and back to Crooked Spring Rd. It will finish back at the Parker Middle School parking lot on the opposite side.
Walkers will do a shorter trail walk (1.5 miles), going only to Castlewood Dr. from the starting line to Radcliffe Rd then down Princess to end back at the start rather than where the 5K finishes. Walkers can have strollers and leashed dogs.
Visit www.high5em.com for a course map
Swag: All pre-registered participants by 5/20 will be guaranteed to receive a custom event t-shirt.
Awards:
Top 3 M/F finishers in the 5K
1st M/F in the 5K in each of the following age groups: 12-Under, 13-16, 17-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+.
Post Race Festivities: Entertainment and an assortment of food/drink will be available post race.
Beneficiary: 100% of the net proceeds will be allocated to Jeff's Place Children's Bereavement Center, in Framingham, MA. In 2022, we donated more than $7000 to Jeff's Place in Sue's name. https://www.jeffsplace.org/
Donations: Can't make the event, but would like to make a donation? Follow this link: click here
Weather: This event will take place rain or shine! There will be no refunds.
Event Contact: High5EM | 978-594-7050 | info@high5em.com
Place
Parker Middle School
Chelmsford, MA US 01824
Race Website
Additional race information can be found at http://www.high5em.com.
Race Contact Info
History
Susan Willand was an amazing person, a beloved mother, sister, aunt, and friend. Sue went missing in December of 2019 and after a month-long search it was discovered that she had tragically drowned in the Merrimack River while on a walk. Sue is survived by her daughter, whom she raised as a single mother. She was a caring sister who maintained close relationships with her siblings and relatives, hosting dinners and parties all the time. She was the cool aunt, who took her nieces and nephews to concerts and races and baseball games. Sue was the life of the party making close friendships everywhere she went, while supporting friendships from her childhood. One of the most prominent characteristics of Sue was her love of running, especially running races.
We aren’t sure just how many races Sue participated in, we have a box with over 67 bibs she had collected, and we know there were more. Sue ran for charities, including races which support breast cancer research and the kidney foundation in memory of her parents. Sue even traveled to Dublin Ireland to run a 5k. There seems to be no better way to honor Sue’s exuberant life than to do what she loved to do.
Smiles for Miles is a non-profit event conceived by Sue’s close family members as a wonderful way to celebrate her life. After two very successful races in 2022 and 2023, we are extremely proud to officially call this an Annual Race with the third Smiles for Miles on June 8th, 2024. All profits from this event will go to Jeff's Place Children's Bereavement Center, Inc. a non-profit grief counseling group for children and families.
To learn more about Sue, please check out her remembrance page on Facebook @suewmemory or her obituary here https://memorials.blakefuneralhome.com/susan-willand/4077939/
