Race winners from 2009 pose after having won.

By Cathleen Twardzik

The City’s annual Shape Up Somerville/Somerville Recreation Road Race, which was initially planned for April 10, has been rescheduled for June 5, and is part of the City’s first SomerStreets event of the year.

At 11 a.m., the children’s “Fun Run” will kick off with a race around Foss Park, which is a different racecourse from previous years.

Then, at 12 p.m., the adult walk/run will begin at Foss Park, and it will continue to School Street, Highland Ave., Central Street, Summer Street, Walnut Street, Gilman Street, and Cross Street.  Finally, it will finish on East Broadway at SomerStreets.

This year, the road race and SomerStreets are occurring on the same day to ensure optimal attendance, as well as “to minimize road closures on additional weekends,” said Jackie Rossetti, Deputy Director of Communications of the City of Somerville.

“We reached out to the Somerville Road Runners and other local running aficionados for advice on a safe, and relatively easy, course that would not require a crossing over McGrath Highway,” she said.

In collaboration with the fire department and the police department, “We were able to come up with a final race course that meets these criteria.  In terms of the children’s race, we look for safe, enclosed areas so as to alleviate parents’ concerns and safety issues.”

Further, for the past two years, “We’ve seen approximately 30 or so young residents participate, and an average of about 250 adults. Because this is a fairly new race, and we still have to establish this within the community as another road race, we expect the number to continue to climb.  Additionally, because this is part of SomerStreets this year, we expect and hope that many more people will turn out,” said Rossetti.

After the race, all participants are invited to join in Carnaval at SomerStreets.  It will include live music, a parade, a farmers market and programming, among additional activities, along an entire stretch of roadway, which will be closed to vehicular traffic.

“Carnaval at SomerStreets,” will run from noon to 4 p.m. on June 5. It is free to attend and is open to the public.

At the race, the top male and female finishers of each race will receive awards.  Gift certificates to local businesses and restaurants will be given.

“The primary reason for hosting the road race is to provide new and exciting recreational opportunities for residents of all ages, and this is a no-pressure, fun race that gets people out walking or running, and seeing the City in a new way,” said Rossetti.

In 2009, Mayor Curtatone showed an interest in the creation of a road race in Somerville, which would take place on an annual basis.  He wanted it to be incorporated into Shape Up Somerville and “our active living programming.”

SomerStreets is the City of Somerville’s Open Streets Initiative, which closes sections of a roadway one Sunday each month from now through October to promote walking, biking, as well as other forms of physical activity.

Locations, such as Highland Ave., Shore Drive, Route 16, and Somerville Ave. will be used.  A full list of dates and locations can be found on the City’s Web site at www.somervillema.gov.

In the future, as the size of the race is augmented, then, “We will weigh different situations and options, and hopefully increase our sponsorship to provide additional and/or better prizes,” she said.

For a map of the racecourse, visit the City’s Web site.

The June 5 event will be co-sponsored by the City, East Somerville Main Streets and FossFest.

Registration is open to all community members.  It will cost $5 for youth under the age of 10, and will be $20 for adults.  The price includes a commemorative T-shirt, water, and a banana at the finish line.

Find registration forms on the City’s Web site, at the Welcome Desk at City Hall, or at the Recreation Building at 19 Walnut St.

Checks should be made payable to Somerville Youth and Recreation Foundation, and may be mailed or delivered to: Somerville Recreation, 19 Walnut St., Somerville, MA 02143.

For additional information, call the Somerville Recreation Department at (617) 625-6600 x.2980.

Photo caption:
Race winners from 2009 pose after having won.