By Sue Wambolt, Contributing Writer
Region – On Saturday, Nov. 29, Saint Peter-Marian Junior-Senior High School (SPM) will host the Kevin Kirk 5K Memorial Race to benefit the Kevin Kirk Memorial Scholarship Fund.
In June, SPM lost beloved teacher and coach Kevin Kirk, 59, after a courageous battle with cancer. During his 38 years at SPM, Kirk taught English literature and was a senior class advisor. An avid runner who participated in road and trail races and six Boston marathons, Kirk founded and coached both the boys’ and girls’ cross country teams for 33 years. He was also a longtime coach of track and field. Kirk was a devoted volunteer with the Team in Training running program, spending countless hours raising funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
“Kevin was a challenging coach who had a fabulous way of relating to his students – both on the field and in the classroom. He was the teacher that all the students hoped to get and, for many, a person who remained in close contact with them long after graduation,”said Tricia Lyons-Gallo, SPM alum Class of 1985. “He was a quiet, humble man who touched many, many lives.”
Later this year Kirk will be inducted into the St. Peter-Marian Central Catholic Hall of Fame.
This fall a committee was formed to organize the Kevin Kirk 5K as a way to honor him as well as to ensure that his legacy continues through a scholarship program at the school. As per Kirk’s request, the need-based scholarship will go to an SPM student.
The race is open to the public and will include a kids’ fun run. Race organizers are expecting around 300 runners to participate which, Lyons-Gallo said, “speaks to the person Kevin was and the dedication of his students (to him).”
“Kevin loved running and we are hopeful this will be a great race to honor his memory,” shared his wife, Margaret.
The race will begin at noon at St. Peter-Marian, 781 Grove St., Worcester, and will proceed through Assumption College (via Nelson Place Drive) and finish back at the school campus. The Kids’ Fun Run will begin at the same location at 11:30 a.m.
Entry fees are $35 ($30 with pre-registration); students, $20; and Kids Fun Run, $10. Pre-registration is encouraged. An event t-shirt will be given to the first 500 registered participants.
There will be a number pick-up Tuesday, Nov. 25, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Marathon Sports in the White City Plaza.
Registration forms are available online at www.spmguardians.org. Completed forms should be mailed to: Bob Betters, St. Peter-Marian CCHS, 781 Grove St., Worcester, MA, 01605.
For more information on the race or sponsorship opportunities, contact Bob Betters at 508-852-5555 or by email at [email protected].