20th Annual Harpoon 5-Miler
March 3, 2021
This year will be our 20th Annual Harpoon 5-Miler. Here is an excerpt from the President of Mass. Bay Brewing Co., Charles Storey:
“The fact that the weather has been good for almost every single running of the Harpoon 5–Miler over its 20-year history is yet another indication that it is a special event. There has only been one year of hard, unrelenting rain. Temperatures were very high another year. But more often than not, we’ve enjoyed clear, mild weather that is ideal for running and the post-race party afterwards. I have been involved with each and every one of the races over the years, and my memories of them are blurring into one happy image of joyful people, running and dancing, on a beautiful early summer day. My typical race day duties are with the water crew. The logistics and manpower required to provide hydration to the field of runners is a reminder of how the run has grown from its early days of a few hundred participants. The day starts early. Many of the core team of people who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to produce the run are still there pre-dawn. This is the time before the energy and activity of the event takes over. It’s a mini-reunion of a core group of wonderful, talented, committed people who have worked together to produce something extraordinary.
We have come a long way! The funds raised for ALS research are a testimony to their accomplishments. There are lots of people who deserve praise and gratitude for these two decades of effort. Barry Chait, Matt Bergen, and Ratt Kennedy merit special recognition, along with my colleagues (past and present) Nicole Terry, Jeff LaFleur, and Jessie Cox. There is a multitude of other volunteers without whom the event could not happen. It is inspiring to see new faces each year, bringing new energy and ideas. I am reassured that what the “old guard” started 20 years ago will thrive and prosper long into the future! I’m very fortunate to be a part of the 5–Miler and can’t wait for another day of sunny skies, running, great beer, and most of all great people.”
We are all looking forward to the next Harpoon 5-Miler that can safely be held in person at Harpoon Brewery. Unfortunately, this year is not the year. For our 20th Annual Harpoon 5-Miler we are moving forward with a virtual event, same as we did last year. Our dedicated participants surpassed our wildest dreams of what the event could look like. With homemade finish lines, participants from 42 states and 9 different countries, and fundraising efforts that exceeded our 2019 in-person race having defined the 2020 race, we can’t wait to see what you bring forth this year for our 2021 edition of the Harpoon 5-Miler.
Registration will open next Wednesday, March 10th for our race on Sunday, May 23rd. You’ve helped us raise over $2.2 Million for The Angel Fund for ALS Research since our first race in 2002. Join us in 2021 in our fight against ALS from anywhere in the world. Click here to learn about this year’s event and how to register!
Photo from 2018 Harpoon 5-Miler; from L to R: Jessie Cox, Charlie Storey, Ratt Kennedy, Michelle Palermino
