The Jeffrey Coombs Memorial Foundation

Sunday, September 18, 2011 – 9:00am

Road Race Application

This very special day would have been Jeff’s 53rd birthday.

Each September the Foundation sponsors the Jeff Coombs Memorial Road Race, Walk and Family Day, raising about $25,000-30,000 annually. The 5K road race/walk has become a highly anticipated event in the town and is well known beyond the streets of Abington. Participants to the event have come from cities throughout the state, as well as New Hampshire, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Arizona, California, Washington, D.C. and Virginia.

The 10th Annual Road Race, Walk and Family Day was dedicated to our friend and DJ for the last nine years, Roger Whitcomb, who died suddenly last fall. This year’s event attracted a record 2000 people, with another record breaking 1500 registered participants!  We raised more than $30,000 to help us continue helping families throughout the coming year

We also honored the military at this year’s event with a military tribute featuring Singing (former) State Trooper and retired Marine Dan Clark who sang the Armed Forces Medley while the 30×53 foot Patriot Flag was unfurled by volunteers including uniformed police officers and fire fighters, children, runners, service members and veteranThe s.  (www.patriotflag.us). The event began with a children’s road race , immediately followed by the Presentation of the Colors by an Abington Color Guard, and the National Anthem by Kylie Donovan.  Following the race, we made a special emotional tribute to Jeff , letting off 53 helium balloons while Christie’s niece Erin Rickabaugh sang Faith Hill’s “The Way You Love Me.” .

Thanks to the cooperation and valued assistance from the Colonial Roadrunners, Abington Police, Frolio Jr. High Peer Leaders, Abington Greenwave Football and soccer players and other Abington High students, local merchants, and a very dedicated team of volunteers and Committee Members, the Road Race/Family Walk has maintained a steady attendance of more than 1000 participants each year. Dubbed as “one of the best-organized races ever” by many veteran road-racers, the Jeff Coombs Memorial Road Race features a smooth start on Chestnut Street in Abington, with a professional finish (thanks Colonial Roadrunners!) just behind the Woodsdale School off Chestnut Street. Medals are awarded in various age categories.

All registered participants, whether running, walking or just hanging around, receive a coveted Road Race t-shirt. Anyone attending is invited to enjoy the free food and children’s activities, including a children’s race, moonwalks, clowns, face-painting, and balloon sculptures.

Many thanks to the hundred-plus volunteers who make this incredible and memorable event happen, and especially the Road Race Committee who have come back year after year.

Committee Coordinators are:

Christie Coombs: Chairperson
Doug Coombs: Race Coordinator, Assisted by Erin Woods and Kate Repiece
Pam Codero: Raffle Coordinator
Don English, Steve Wakelin, Paul Mollica, Scott Tomlin:  Event Logistics
Nancy Cooney:  Food Coordinator
Pam Ryan and Ann Toomey:  Registration
Maureen Tomlin:  Event Coordinator

Special thanks to event creator and great friend, Donna Cherry, and past food coordinator Mary Barrett.  Also thanks to Colonial Roadrunners for their expert timing.