Published in the September 21, 2016 edition
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The second annual Best Buddies Friendship 5K is returning to MarketStreet Lynnfield on Sunday, Sept. 25.
Best Buddies Massachusetts is a non-profit organization that provides social inclusion, integrated employment and leadership opportunities to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Best Buddies serves more than 6,500 people across Massachusetts at 132 school-based chapters and within many communities.
Best Buddies Massachusetts State Director Craig Welton said recently Lynnfield High School established a Best Buddies chapter last year. He also said Best Buddies has “strong chapters” in Wakefield and Peabody as well.
The road race will start in front of the Express and American Eagle stores at MarketStreet. After runners proceed out of the MarketStreet complex, runners will make a left onto Walnut Street. Runners will then make a right onto Summer Street, which will be followed by a right onto Trickett Road. Runners will then make a left onto Atherton Circle. Runners will make a left on Westway, which turns into Fernway.
After coming to the end of Fernway, runners will turn left onto Walnut Street. Runners will turn right back onto Market Street, and will make a right onto King Rail Drive. Runners will turn left and head toward the finish line that will be near Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse.
Welton said last month the road race will feature 500 runners and walkers this year but said Best Buddies is looking to increase the number of participants this year.
The race will begin at 9 a.m. and Wetton said he anticipates runners will be off public roads by 10:30 a.m. Registration will take place at 7 a.m.
After the race concludes, there will be festivities for attendees and the events’ participants.
If residents want to register for the Best Buddies Friendship 5K or would like more information about the event, townspeople should visit https://teambestbuddies.org/friendship5k.
