Community Corner
Sixth Annual Angel Run Attracts 1,300 Participants [Video]
More than 1,300 people participated in the sixth annual Angel Run held on Sunday. The event was started in 2005 by a group of friends of Natasha Domeshek, a Medfield third grader who died suddenly in 2002.
This year was the first year Andrew McNeil, age 9, participated in the Angel Run, but he thinks he might do it again next year.
"It was fun," he said after the event that started six years ago in memory of Natasha Domeshek, a Medfield eight-year-old who died suddenly in 2002. "I liked the beginning part when everybody took off from the start line."
McNeil, whose father also ran the race, said he also liked the carolers and decorations along the route.
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Each year, hundreds of volunteers help transform the parade route into a "festive wonderland complete with carolers, hot cocoa, balloons, candy canes, and other surprises along the way," said Suzi Garrity, whose daughter was one of a group of Natasha's friends who created the Angel Run in 2005.
The family-friendly 5k (or shorter one mile loop) run/walk is fashioned after Boston's Jingle Bell Run and takes place in December because Natasha's birthday was Dec. 17 and her favorite holiday was Christmas.
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Proceeds from the event – which has raised nearly $150,000 to date – will benefit the Natasha Domeshek Fund of The Medfield Foundation Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation established to anonymously fund services for families in need, as well as a scholarship for the Medfield High School Class of 2012 of which Natasha would have been a student. The scholarship will be awarded in June.
The official starter of this year's fun-raiser was Harrison Domeshek, Natasha's brother who is currently a freshman at .Â
Organizers say 1,300 runners or walkers participated in this year's event in addition to 30 dogs and 18 strollers.
The winner of this year's Angel Run was Zach Frasier, 17 of Mansfield, who finished in 18:26 minutes.Â
"This is my first time running this race but I highly recommend it," said Frasier after his finish. "The course wasn't that tough and it was a great run."
Second place went to Tony Delogne of Sedona, Ariz. (formerly of Dover), and third to finish was Matt Bergiel of Medfield.
The event concluded inside the cafeteria with refreshments, a slide show and collages from past Angel Runs and photos of Natasha and the Domeshek family.
Though this is the last year Garrity and the Domeshek family will organize the Angel Run, Garrity assured participants that the event will continue next year.
"The Medfield Foundation is going to take over the Angel Run so the Angel Run will be here for many, many years," she said to a cheering crowd.Â
"On behalf of the entire Domeshek family, we want to thank all of the volunteers, the runners, everybody that's come every year for the past six years and made this such an incredible community event," said Garrity.
For more information on the Angel Run, visit www.AngelRun.org.
