By Ed Karvoski Jr., Contributing Writer
Shrewsbury – About 1,500 runners and walkers representing 23 states braved the cold Nov. 23 to start their Thanksgiving by participating in the seventh annual Turkey Trot for the Memory. Beginning at and ending near Shrewsbury’s Town Common, the five- and two-mile run/walk benefits the Alzheimer’s Association Mass./N.H. chapter.
Speaking on behalf of the event committee, Jane Lizotte welcomed the participants and shared inspiration she inherited from her father, the late Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Justice Francis P. O’Connor. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 1999 and passed away in 2007. This fundraiser was organized in his memory.
“Dad, here we are – all 1,500 of us – to share a common goal,” Lizotte said. “We run and walk to end Alzheimer’s disease.”
Finishing the five-mile run first overall in 28:04 was Daniel Mortimer of Worcester. Bridget Bergan of Boston was the first-place female finishing in 34:03. A commemorative hat emblazoned with the event logo will be postal mailed to the winners of each age division. Twenty-five participants went home with pies won in a raffle.
Also serving on this year’s event committee were Dana Canzano, Joyce O’Connor-Davidson, Charlie Davidson, Liam Davidson, Jim Heald, Amy Kotsopolous, Glen Lucchese, Leigh O’Connor, Mark O’Connor and David Lizotte. The presenting sponsor was Shrewsbury Federal Credit Union.
