Sunita Williams to run Medford Celebrity Mile race from space

September 26, 2024

The third annual event features new famous faces who will take to the track in-person and virtually

BOSTON /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – This weekend at Run Medford, local celebrities, leaders and media personalities will compete on the Dave McGillivray Track at Hormel Stadium. The following field will compete in a one-mile race as part of the Run Medford track festival, which kicks off a weekend-long celebration of community, running, and the City of Medford produced by DMSE Sports and hosted by the Dave McGillivray Finish Strong Foundation.

• NASA astronaut Sunita Williams who will run virtually in the International Space Station
• Medford Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn
• East Hampton Mayor Lachapelle
• WCVB Sports Anchor and 2022 Celebrity Mile Champion Josh Brogadir
• 2023 Celebrity Mile Champion Team Hoyt’s Troy Hoyt
• WBZ Meteorologist Eric Fisher
• DMSE’s Mascot Coney (rumored to be played Dave McGillivray)
• World Marathon Challenge champion Becca Pizzi
• Eagle-Tribune Sports Director Bill Burt
• Paul Veneto who completed a 200-mile walk from Boston to New York City to honor 9/11 fallen crew members
• Radio Talk Show Host Gary Leavitt
• MetroWest Reporter Tim Dumas
• Joseph Pastor Father Hynes

The track festival starts at 5:15 p.m. on Friday and also features kids’ fun runs, a parathlete mile and high school miles.

On Saturday, the 5-mile run, 5K run, and 2-mile walk will take participants on scenic tours through McGillivray’s hometown. All events start and finish at Medford City Hall.

This year, the Dave McGillivray Finish Strong Foundation will donate funds raised by the event to causes benefiting local students in Medford schools. Past beneficiaries have included Charlotte and William Bloomberg Medford Public Library, Power Kids Summer Enrichment Program, Medford Parks And Recreation Program, Medford Senior Center and the Center For Citizenship And Social Responsibility At Medford High School.

Back by popular demand, the 5K distance has been added back to the weekend’s lineup. The 5K is named in honor of Jerry Panarese, who was a member of the New England 65+ Runners Club. Panarese was the director of the Run of All Ages for 25 years. This race was going to end, and the foundation and DMSE teams decided to include it in this year’s Run Medford event to keep Panarese’s spirit alive.

This year, the race is aiming to expand its master’s field of runners by allowing participants over the age of 80 to register for the 5K at no cost. The goal is to create the largest field of 80+ runners in a 5K race in the country, further cementing the “All Ages” namesake of the 5K.

All participants receive Medford-themed swag including finish medals and t-shirts featuring the blue Mustang mascot of Medford High School.  Finishers also receive copies of McGillivray’s book “Running Across America, A True Story of Dreams, Determination and Heading for Home” – which tells the tale of his Medford, Ore. to Medford, Mass. run across the nation.

For more information on Run Medford, visit www.RunMedford.com and follow the race on Instagram and Facebook.

For more information on DMSE Sports, visit www.DMSEsports.com and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

For more information on the Dave McGillivray Finish Strong Foundation, visit www.davemcgillivrayfoundation.org and follow the foundation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

ABOUT DMSE SPORTS

DMSE Sports is a full-service event-management organization, providing a full range of event and race production, management, and consulting services to support events of all sizes. Dave McGillivray and his team at DMSE Sports are responsible for the technical and logistical aspects of more than 30 races and walks per year. From overseeing organizing committees to working with local officials and handling registration, credentialing, lead vehicles, and course setup, DMSE Sports does it all. The firm has produced more than 1,600 events since opening its doors in 1981 and serves clients throughout the United States. For more information on DMSE Sports, visit www.DMSEsports.com and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

ABOUT THE DAVE MCGILLIVRAY FINISH STRONG FOUNDATION

The Dave McGillivray Finish Strong Foundation seeks to inspire and empower youth across New England and beyond to increase physical activity, expand literacy, and build community and self-esteem through running, reading, and performing acts of kindness. Their vision is rooted in a belief that discovering a passion for physical activity, reading, and acts of kindness at a young age gives individuals self-confidence and self-respect, which empowers them to move forward—one step at a time. For over eighteen years, the foundation has remained committed to preparing individuals for future success and building vibrant communities. For more information on the Dave McGillivray Finish Strong Foundation, visit www.davemcgillivrayfoundation.org and follow the foundation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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