‘Super heroes’ come in spirit for Corridor Nine’s 23rd Annual 5k Race/Walk

Submitted by Karen Chapman, President, Corridor Nine Area Chamber of Commerce

Northborough – The Corridor Nine Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 23^rd Applefest 5k/Race Walk Sept. 17 during the town of Northborough’s Applefest weekend.  More than 300 runners gathered at the Marion E. Zeh Elementary School for the race.

“The annual community event attracted many serious competitors but also brought together casual runners, walkers, neighborhoods, and families,” said Karen Chapman, the chamber’s president. Amongst the elite runners were Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Alice Bonner, the Mass. Secretary of Elder Affairs.

Finishing first place was Nat Larson, 54, from Amherst, with a finishing time of 16:36. Kristen Flajslik, 31, from Hopkinton was the first female to cross the finish line with the time of 19:48.  This is the second time in a row that Flajslik has been the overall female winner of the race. (She was pregnant when she crossed the finish line last year!)

Corridor Nine also presented team prizes.  The Algonquin Regional High School Boys team took first place in the team categories. InBalance Chiropractic & Wellness team members, who dressed in superhero costumes, came in second in the teams and won the “Team Spirit” trophy as well.

Fifty children participated in the Kids Adventure Race that was immediately held at the completion of the 5k awards ceremony. The race had children from 1 to 11 years old putting their skills to the test on a fun-filled obstacle course with 10 activities that included the Crab Walk, Noodle Weave, and Snake Crawl.

The presenting sponsors of the race were the Community Advocate, PR Running, and Oasis Financial Services.  Additional sponsors and supporters were:  Merrill Lynch – Mohamed-Merola Wealth Management, partnership sponsor; Servpro of Shrewsbury/Grafton, supporting sponsor; YMCA of Central Massachusetts, Kids Adventure Race sponsor; Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital, finish line sponsor; Avidia Bank, race bib sponsor; Central One Federal Credit Union and AFC Doctors Express Urgent Care in Marlborough and Natick, mile marker sponsors; and Sunshine Sign Company, signage sponsor.  Refreshments for the runners were sponsored by Wegmans, Tougas Farms, Price Chopper and Servpro of Shrewsbury and Grafton.  Andy Weigl of Weigl Photography captured the memories of the day as the chamber’s photographer and Crystal Entertainment Services brought the live entertainment as the DJ.