45th Granby Road Race Benefits Farmington Valley YMCA

GRANBY—April 22, 2016—The 45th annual Granby Road Race 10K and 5K will kick off on Saturday, May 7, at 8:30 a.m., at Granby Middle School.

Proceeds benefit the Farmington Valley YMCA’s Annual Campaign, which helps sends kids to summer camp regardless of their ability to pay.

"The 10K is one of the most beautiful and unique races in the state since about half of the course is run through McLean Game Refuge,” said David Schupp, one of the race's longtime organizers. "In years past, the race has attracted star runners such as John Vitale, Amby Burfoot and Ray Crothers.”

The 5K will run partly on roads and partly through Salmon Brook Park.

“The Farmington Valley Y is proud to present the 45th Annual Road Race, which does more than strengthen bodies, it strengthens our community,” said Brian Liss, executive director. “The funds raised support the Y’s Annual Campaign, which gives us the ability to reach out to those in our community who need us most.”

Register at www.granbyroadrace.org.

This year’s presenting sponsor is GoodWorks Insurance, which bestowed a $2,500 GoodWorks Community Grant. Glastonbury-based GoodWorks Insurance (www.goodworksinsurance.com) is a regional independent insurance agency with additional offices in New Milford, Avon and Columbia, Conn., and Great Barrington and Worcester, Mass.

Uniquely, it gives 50 percent of its operating profit to local charities. GoodWorks Community Grants go to nonprofits that support education, healthcare, public safety and community development.

“We’re delighted to sponsor one of the country’s oldest road races, which raises money for a great cause,” said Curt Johnson, senior vice president at GoodWorks Insurance and a Granby resident. “As more local businesses and families turn to us for their insurance, we can reinvest more in communities like Granby every year.”

“GoodWorks Insurance is leading the way in making our community a better place to be," Liss added.

Both races start just south of the Granby Middle School on Route 10. The 5K continues south on Route 10 and enters Salmon Brook Park, where the course makes a loop before returning to Route 10 and heading north back to Granby Middle School.

The 10K continues south on the west side of Route 10 to Canton Road, where runners turn right onto Canton Road. Runners enter the McLean Game Refuge from Canton Road and exit the refuge back onto the west side of Route 10.

Runners continue north on the west side of Route 10 and turn left into the semi-circle driveway in front of the high school to the finish line. Traffic on 10/202 may be disrupted because of the race.

The Farmington Valley YMCA is a branch of the YMCA of Greater Hartford. The YMCA of Greater Hartford serves more than 118,000 people, including 66,000 children, in 56 towns and cities throughout the Capitol Region. YMCA programs put the values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility into practice to build healthy spirit, mind and body for all participants.