To the Editor:

On behalf of the Corrib Charitable Trust (CCT) Board of Directors and the Bligh family, we’d like to thank everyone involved for the great response to the 19^th Annual Corrib 5K Classic Road Race and Celebration on June 3. The weather was threatening but we avoided the rain and the participants and volunteers enjoyed one of the best race events yet. Sponsored by the Cooperative Bank, the Race had slightly over 2,700 registered runners and 150 volunteers and a huge gathering with supporters at the post-race celebration on Billings Field.   

The Corrib Charitable Trust will realize over $50,000 for this year, including donations, golf tournament, and raffle proceeds. All Trust event monies will be distributed to local Parkway worthwhile charities.    

Special thanks to our major sponsor, the Cooperative Bank, who has been generously by our side for 13 years. The Cooperative Bank also sponsored the Corrib Kids Fun Run. The CCT Board of Directors remains indebted to the Cooperative Bank leadership for their commitment to our events and the overall community.

Also, we extend our gratitude to the Lord Mayor Rich Gormley of Gormley Funeral Homes for his support. These two entities embody the meaning of great corporate neighbors.

We welcomed a new patron this year in New Balance. Located at Legacy Place in Dedham, they provided new sneakers to all the division winners and discounts for all the runners.

Additional substantial contributors include State Senator Mike Rush, City Councilor Matt O’Malley, City Councilor John Connolly, State Representative Ed Coppinger, J.F. McDermott Corporation, Roche Brothers Supermarkets, Burke Distributing Corporation, and MacCompanies, Inc.

For the third year, Councilor Connolly and his volunteers coordinated the event’s recycling efforts and sponsored the vendor—Save That Stuff, Inc.

A very special thanks to Bill Joyce, assisted by Marc Sanders and his core volunteers from the YMCA for the great job with the Corrib Kids Fun Run.

Thanks to our City agencies; the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, Public Works, Fire Department, Boston Police Department, and EMS. Thanks also to Parkway Towing and Rental Depot.

The State Police and DCR provided great coordination of the VFW Parkway portion of the race.  

Many thanks to our water stop hosts Mayor Thomas Menino, Councilor Matt O’Malley, State Senator Mike Rush, and Representative Ed Coppinger. Ray McVeigh and the men from McCompanies, Inc. once again solved any field logistical problems that we experienced with calm and professionalism. The colors were posted by the Boston Police Emerald Society Honor Guard and the Navy OSC/Quincy Color Guard. DJ George did a super job with the tunes and sound system.  State Senator Mike Rush of the US Navy Combined Joint Special Ops served as the official race starter.

Area E-5 Police Captain James Hasson and his men and women were extremely helpful and the event just doesn’t work without their professionalism.   

Our heartfelt thanks to all our fabulous race volunteers. From set-up to clean-up, it would be impossible to have a successful event without the dozens of committed volunteers and we remain in their debt.

Special thanks to all the runners and the good people of West Roxbury who continue to support our event in a variety of ways. Lastly, our gratitude to the residents and merchants of the neighborhood who experience inconvenience due to temporary road closures during the event. Your patience is greatly appreciated.

The Corrib Race Committee and the Bligh Family of the Corrib Pub and Restaurant are gratified to report that this year’s proceeds will enable us to have donated close to $940,000 to the worthwhile charitable groups of the Parkway community over the last 19 years.  Thanks to all for being a part of it.  See you at the 20^th Anniversary Race as we look to break the $1 million mark!

Respectfully,

The Corrib Charitable Trust Board of Directors

Martin Bligh                Jonathan Stratton       

Karen Bligh                 Rick Deraney

Tony Bligh                   Frank O’Brien

Bob Vassolotti             Mike Finn

Brian Kennedy            Jack Enright

Jim Roberts                Paul Santangelo