Lace up your sneakers and run for the police (not “from”, never from)! The Weston Police Relief Association has announced its first-ever 5K run, with proceeds to support our local officers in their times of need. The race will take place on the morning of Saturday, October 15, just before the 18th Annual Pumpkinfest. It’s another mega-weekend at Weston Town Green, which is currently the Town Brown.

The schedule for the morning includes events run by the fantastic Weston Community Children’s Association. The preliminary agenda looks like this:

• WPRA Race Day October 15
  • 8:30 a.m.- 9:45 a.m.- Bib pick-up and same day registration 
  • 10:00 a.m.- Start of the 5K
  • 11:00 am.- 5K Awards Presentation
  • 11:15 a.m.- Toddler Trot 
  • 11:30 a.m.- Kid’s 1/2 Mile Run around the Town Green 
    • All kids events will be put on by The Weston Community Children’s Association (WCCA)
  • After the 5K enjoy the afternoon on the Town Green with food trucks, music, and entertainment and stay for Pumpkin Fest!

Yesterday, the Owl met with Officer Lindsey Bazigian, an executive board member of the WPRA, about the origins of the race idea.

“Historically, we had a Police Officer’s Ball in order to raise money for the Weston Police Relief Association. It was our main source of funds, but we haven’t done that for a while now and were looking for a new way to engage the community. The idea of a fun race came up in one of our meetings and we literally “ran” with it.” [Ed: kudos for the unintentional pun].

The Weston Police Relief Association is a nonprofit corporation which has the. sole purpose of providing Weston Police Officers and their families with financial assistance in the event of an illness, injury, or death. The Weston Police Relief Association was started in 1950 and since then it has been funded by generous donors.  You can read more about the Association here: https://westonpolicerelief.org/.

Registration for the race is now open at https://tinyurl.com/WPRA5K. The course, for those Weston 5K aficionados, follows the “Love Lane” racecourse around Town Hall, including Concord Road, Merriam Street, Sunset Road and Conant Road. It is USATF certified and will have official run timing. You can find out more here: https://runsignup.com/Race/MA/Weston/WestonPoliceReliefAssociation5K. Not a runner? You can walk the course as well–strollers and dogs welcome.

Rumor has it that the Police Department will be challenging the Weston Fire Department–first five PD finishers versus first five Fire Dept finishers. Sadly, both Police K9 Knox and Weston Fire mascot Bobby Sweetface have been disqualified. Winner will get bragging rights and the first ever Boots vs Badges Cup trophy.

Join in the fun! The Owl and the entire Round Hill Runners team has already signed up. Hey, desirable southside, come on out to challenge the coveted northside. Winner gets first in line at the taco truck.