3rd Annual Littleton Road Race, 5k Race and 1 mile fun run, Sunday, September 25, 2011

I would like express my appreciation to all the runners and walkers who participated in the first annual Littleton Road Race on Sunday. Over 320 racers braved the elements and crossed the finish line in either the 1-mile fun run or the 5k race.

The Road Race is a fundraiser for the Littleton Track Organization, and I would like to thank the race sponsors, who gave generously to support this event. Silver Sponsors are Acton Toyota of Littleton and Donelan's Supermarkets. Bronze Sponsors are Carpenter Associates, Reichheld Ting Orthodontics, Middlesex Savings Bank, Fitting Fitness In, Curtiss-Wright Controls, Inc., the Rotary Club of Littleton, and Corrective Care Chiropractic.

There was a fantastic group of Littleton residents who worked together to organize key aspects of this event. Keri Bradshaw (course notification and bag check), Jen Burke (water stations), Steve Gaebel (course markings and split timers), Josh Harriman (registration), Kimberly Harriman (registration), Hans Heer (signs), Marianne Heer (runner's bags), David Heitmeyer (website and race brochures), Sarah Heitmeyer (children's activities), Cindy Proulx (volunteer coordinator), Tommy Proulx (course and park set-up), Marc Saucier (course set-up), Teryl Sawosik (park set-up), Lanette Sundquist (food), and Sharon Tully (t-shirts), spent many hours over the past months helping to prepare for race day. They, and I, were assisted by many others, including over 50 volunteers who worked at the event. Thank you to each volunteer who contributed to make this event a success.

Steve Anderson designed the wonderful Littleton Road Race logo that graced the front of the race t-shirts, and also appeared on the medals that were given to all kids who finished the 1-mile run.

Long-time Littleton physical education teacher Kathy Hibbard, served as the starter for the 1-mile, and Margaret Price, Littleton's Head Track and Field Coach, handled the starting duties for the 5k race. Sarah Carlson beautifully sang the national anthem.

The Littleton Police Department, through Sgt. Lisa Bonney, organized and provided traffic control for the race. Sgt. Bonney was a tremendous help in planning for many aspects of the event, and I want to thank her for her assistance. Thanks, also, to the Littleton Fire Department for providing medical coverage.

I would also like to thank Kate Hodges and the Littleton Park & Recreation Department, and Jim Clyde and the Littleton Highway Department for their assistance with this event.

Supporters for this year's race include Littleton Agway, Shell Travel Plaza, Eloquence Dance Centre, and My School Cooperative Nursery School.

Gift certificates for awards were provided by Miller Automotive, Littleton Sub Shoppe, Pethingz/Happy Trailz, Cataldo Nurseries, and Ed's Weenies. Nagog Hill Orchard donated bags of apples that were given as part of the awards for the male and female winners in seven different age categories.

Acton Toyota of Littleton donated all of the bottled waters for the participants at the finish line, and Donelan's provided all of the post-race food for the runners. Sunny Delight also donated beverages for the competitors.

Thank you to the many residents who were not able to participate or volunteer on race day, but who made financial donations to the Littleton Track Organization to show your support. Littleton Brownie Troop 60190 matched troop members' registration fees, and one Littleton family anonymously donated the cost to rent a large tent when the forecast showed rain likely. Jeff Wilkinson donated the use of his PA system, and the Rotary Club allowed us to use their cones, fencing, parking flags and vests, and other items to help the race run smoothly.

Thank you to those who granted permission for the use of parking lots at the Tahattawan Lodge, the Congregational Church, Castle in the Trees and Town Offices, and thanks to photographers Jodi Corbett and Theresa LeBlanc from the Long Lake Flashers who snapped many photos that are available for viewing at the race website.

I'd especially like to thank the residents along the race course for their patience and understanding while the race was underway, as well as to First Church Unitarian for their cooperation.

Everyone's efforts together made this race a great success. Thank you!

Cindy Heitmeyer
Littleton Road Race Director