Author’s Note: The author took part in the race. It should be noted that his time and placement should indicate that no favor was given from the race or The Bulletin.

While the weather forecasts had been predicting rain all week for the 32nd annual Corrib Charitable Trust 5K Road Race in West Roxbury, the sun shown high and dry on Sunday to the delight of thousands.

Organizer, Corrib Charitable Trust Board President and Corrib Restaurant owner Tony Bligh said while there were a lot of problems – the construction at Billings Field left the race’s usual party area unavailable and the weather forecast all week was predicting thunderstorms that ended up coming well after the race – everything came together.

“We’re really happy with everything and how the day went,” he said. “Considering the circumstances, it was a huge, huge win. I’m really proud of my fellow board members. They worked their tails off. I’m also really thankful that everybody, all of my neighbors – I’m just so happy I’m in such a great neighborhood – everybody tried to help.”

Bligh said when it became apparent that Billings Field was out – which has been the main staging area and post race celebration spot for the race since its inception 32 years ago – it seemed like everybody in town was willing to donate their space.

“First and foremost, (Parkway Y Executive Director) Kevin Flynn and (Parkway Y Non-profit Manager) Marion Kelly, if it wasn’t for their kindness, the race would never have happened,” he said. “But all my neighbors – from Sean Spellman at Roxbury Latin, Richie and Mike Gormley, to Blanchard’s, the Anderson family across the street, the folks at Roslindale Pediatrics, Eddie Doherty, the Kelly’s, Bruce and Mark at B&M Automotive, and Father John at St. Theresa’s, they all offered their lots. And the folks at Sturges Road, they said, ‘Shut our street, have the party here!’ They’re great people, and it’s just humbling what a great neighborhood it is here. Always trying to help people.”

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu stopped by to give remarks before the race took off. She said the race was definitely a celebration, but she – and other officiants at the race – took time to remember those who were not able to make it this year.

“Thank you to every one who is here to show off our pride in West Roxbury, especially the kids and friends who are here,” she said. “It took a lot of work from the team and our departments to make this go right. And the reason that this race is so important to our departments is that this is the home of so many of our city workers. So many of those who are public servants live their lives here. And we’re also here to remember those who not only gave their careers to public service, but sacrificed their lives as well.”

Wu referred to a number of public servants who recently passed away, including Boston Police Officer Bruce Higgins, Boston Firefighter Bill Carey, Boston EMS Superintendent-in-Chief John Gill and, most recently, Boston Firefighter Bob Kilduff Jr.

Bill Carey’s family were the race starters for this year’s Corrib.

“We want to honor all those who loved Billy Carey, to the Kilduff family, the Higgins family and the Gill family, thank you everyone,” she said. “We are thinking of you, still praying and we celebrate that folks are living out your legacies in this great city.”

Race organizer and Corrib Pub owner Tony Bligh said he was happy to see everyone at the race.

“We hope you all have a great race, and I’d like to say happy birthday to my mom and dad, get that out there,” he said. “Thank you very much!”

Emcee Tommy Doherty led the remembrances for the race, who included those listed above, but also first responders, and active military and veterans in the community.

“We have lost some legends and friends over the last few months who have helped us for many many years,” he said. “First Bobby ‘BK’ Kilduff, who lost his life tragically a couple of weeks ago saving our lives. He was a volunteer and a great friend to the road race. Also a great friend and community leader, a decorated firefighter, an advocate in fighting cancer, a hell of musician who passed away, Billy Carey.”

Doherty said Gill also volunteered at the race as well as Higgins. He said other longtime volunteers who had passed this year included Greg Haugh, Michael Kenney, Bill Enright, Jimmy Schindler, Leo Kenney, and John R. Sullivan.

Residents Singleton John and Steven Chilton said this wasn’t the first time they’d been to the Corrib Road Race, and John even said he’s been keeping count of all his road races since he started, presumably, a long time ago.

Advertisement

“This is my one-thousandth-six-hundred-and-sixty-sixth road race,” John said. “And he’s run three marathons this year alone!”

John said though he’s run many races, not many are like the Corrib.

“The Corrib is a great race. I mean it’s challenging! I mean mile 2 and mile 3, I start thinking this was a bad idea,” he said.

“But it’s a great party afterwards,” said Chilton.

“Yeah a great party and it’s just well run,” said John. “Just an excellent organization.”

Residents Shauna Furey and Gillian O’Leary said this was their first time at the Corrib. They said a mutual friend’s husband used to volunteer for the race and passed, and so they wanted to run it in memory of him and to support her.

“We’re just here hanging out and memorializing our friend and having a good time,” said O’Leary.

Furey said she was actually disappointed it wasn’t raining.

“I like running in the rain, so I’m a little bit disappointed,” she said.

Resident Max Riley said he was looking forward to the race as he was captain of his school’s cross-country track team in high school, but had not done this race before.

“I’m a member of the thirsty Irish runners, which is a group out of Dedham, and we run a bunch of races,” he said. “I am excited to try the Corrib, oh yeah. There are a lot of races that are my first, but that will only go down as I get older!”

A Sort of Homecoming, a local U2 tribute band, serenaded runners and fans after the race at the Parkway Y parking lot. Kennedy’s Kitchen provided free hot dogs and burgers, while the Beer Garden provided some lubrication for all the sore joints runners stressed out going up Bellevue Hill. The atmsophere of accomplishment and community permeated the grounds to close out the 32nd annual Corrib Road Race. And, at Billings Field, construction continued, and is looking to be wrapped up at the end of the summer – https://gvimes.link/billings

For more information on the Corrib Charitable Trust, which provides funding for youth programs in the Parkway and beyond, go to https://gvimes.link/corribchar