Friendly rivalries and Team RTX's surprise win were highlights of this year's MetroWest Corporate 5K on May 15th in Marlborough. RTX, the aerospace and defense company formerly known as Raytheon, stole the gold trophy cup in dramatic fashion from two-time defending champions, Boston Scientific.
More than 300 people registered for this sixth annual race, proudly presented by St. Mary's Credit Union. The event raised over $40,000 for United Way of Tri-County (UWOTC) programs, proving to be both fun and purposeful.
"You know, that's important," UWOTC President and CEO, Paul Mina, told the crowd. "Having fun is great, but having fun with a purpose matters."
Even in cool, drizzly weather, participants were happy to network, get in some exercise and celebrate with music, pizza, ice cream and craft beer—all for a good cause.
And the competition was hot!
RTX, which has offices in Marlborough, pulled off a surprise upset when two men and two women from its team sped to the finish line faster, in overall time, than the next quickest team: Boston Scientific, which won the two previous races.
Team Moderna finished right on Boston Scientific's heels, but it was RTX that won the biggest bragging rights.
St. Mary's was awarded the Biggest Team prize, and True North Hotel Group won our Best T-Shirt design contest.
Large teams from Cumberland Farms, Sartorius and Murata Power Solutions joined the race, as did Orangetheory Fitness, Helen of Troy, the Bryant Road Running Club, Team Framingham, the Davis Companies, MassTalk, Robert Half, UPS, National Grid, Concentric Energy Advisors, Dell, GRLA, Instron, Intel and others.
A feeling of community support was in the air, and the sense of camaraderie was evident as teammates whooped, cheered and rooted each other on.
Participants included kids on bicycles, walkers who took it easy and runners who hit the pavement hard. Paul Gennaro from RTX was the top male, running the 3.1-mile course in 17:48. Kathryn Mason from EG America-Cumberland Farms was the top female, finishing in 23:26.
It was a fun race with Brewtus, Cumberland Farms' friendly coffee cup mascot, on hand to high-five finishers. We had medals for everyone who crossed the finish line thanks to our two sponsors, Hologic and Web Industries. And there were lots of smiles in the photo booth, sponsored by Concentric.
The race started and ended outside our Marlborough Community Cupboard (MCC). Proceeds support MCC and our two other food pantries and meal programs, the Pearl Street Cupboard & Café in Framingham and WHEAT Community Connections in Clinton. Participants could also choose for their registration fee to go to our Ready to Read early literacy program or Call2Talk, our mental health and emotional support helpline of Mass211.
Flying Dreams Brewery donated $3 from every beer sold at the event to the UWOTC, and our many sponsors helped make the event a success.
Thank you to all our volunteers and participants for making this race one of our best yet!
Save the date for our next 5K at Jack's Abby Craft Lagers in Framingham on Saturday, Sept. 20.