As soon as the calendar turns to August, we know that summer is coming to an end.
And there is one event on the Central Mass. racing schedule that recognizes this fact.
The Running Out Of Summer 5K will take place in just under two weeks, on Saturday, August 24 – 8/24/2024. The race will take place less than a week before many, if not most, of the area’s students return to school and certainly after many high school sports teams have already begun fall training.
Yes, summer is coming to an end. But this race, presented and run by Rapscallion Brewery since its inception, brings something positive to summer lovers: It takes place before the leaves start to fall, while supporting good causes that benefit both two-legged and four-legged friends.
The venue has changed for the seventh running of the race, with the start, finish and post-race party relocated to the friendly surroundings of O’Gara Park in Spencer, but the race’s support for Second Chance Animal Services remains as strong as ever.
Second Chance, a nonprofit animal welfare organization, was founded in 1999 as a shelter for pets in need. Twenty-five years later, Second Chance operates veterinary clinics in North Brookfield, Southbridge, Springfield and Worcester, offering discounted rates to underserved communities to ensure all pets have access to medical care.
(Columnist’s note: Second Chance has provided wonderful companions to our household through adoptions handled by extremely attentive staff and provided skilled care along the way. Rest in peace, Kenzie and Luigi.)
“We have been with Second Chance since the beginning,” said Heidi White, who has been race director for seven years since the event was held at Hyland Orchard in Sturbridge. “Their low-cost clinic is wonderful and provides affordable medical care for their pets.”
According to White, Running Out Of Summer 5K has raised about $20,000 for charity over the past six years, and in 2024, a portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to the Spencer Parks & Recreation Department.
“They were super excited about the race,” White said of department and city officials. “They welcomed us with open arms.”
Rapscallion has a pub in Sturbridge, just down Arnold Road from the original golf course in Hyland Orchard, and also has a brewery and taproom in Spencer and a table and tap in Acton.
In fact, one year Rapscallion offered a “Running Into Summer 5K” in Acton on Memorial Day weekend.
The brewery and race management believe they have hit the jackpot with the venue at O’Gara Park, especially from a logistical point of view.
“Because the route runs along the Spencer Rail Trail, we don’t need police units,” White said. “There are no road crossings and the route is super safe.”
In fact, the scenic course is particularly participant-friendly.
“The course is completely flat and not paved, but the path is covered with packed earth,” added White, who recently surveyed the course. “It is also good for walkers, wide and clean, and it is also wide enough for the outward and return journey, as runners running in the opposite direction to and from the centre points have plenty of room to overtake.”
All participants of Team Hoyt start with their chairs a few minutes before the scheduled start at 10:00 a.m. for the rest of the field.
The Running Out Of Summer 5K, also held at Brimfield Winery, is adding a whole new level of excitement this year. Rapscallion will be providing a post-race tap at O’Gara Park where food, drinks and fun will be available to celebrate the event.
All participants will receive a custom, gender-specific, super-soft commemorative shirt, a finisher medal shaped like a bottle opener, and a drink voucher to use at any Rapscallion location.
Now to redeem the drinks voucher…
The voucher can be redeemed for a sample of the ‘Running Out Of Summer’ raspberry lager at the early race collection on Friday 23rd from 4pm-7pm at Rapscallion in Spencer (8 Meadow Road) or can be kept for race day or later.
During the post-race festivities at O’Gara, the Second Chance Animal Services adoption truck will be on site so that everyone can meet and play with the loving, adoptable dogs. There will be raffles with amazing prize packages to raise money for Second Chance and Spencer Parks, all while enjoying music and delicious food from the food truck.
Racewire will be on site again for registration and timekeeping.
White said early last week there were about 100 more entries than at the last post-pandemic races, with the new location apparently appealing to participants. In recent years the race has attracted around 150 participants.
“Rescheduling (the race) is difficult, but preparations have been smoother and easier than in the past,” said White, a former runner and director of the Wormtown Milers. “But I think we’ll get a lot of people.”
Race day registration at O’Gara Park begins at 8:00 a.m. For more information and to register, visit visitrapscallion.com/event/running-out-of-summer-5k/.
—Contact John Conceison at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ConceisonJohn.
