Road Race Loses Four Longtime Leaders

In a statement posted on its Web site March 12, the Falmouth Road Race announced the retirement of two longtime co-directors, and the resignation of two others. Lucia and John Carroll retired from their leadership roles with the annual running event, a mainstay on the Cape Cod calendar; Richard and Kathleen Sherman submitted their resignations at the same time.

Both couples had been involved in the race from the earliest days of its 39-year history. Both expressed their eagerness to assist the new acting director, Matt Auger, with the transition, and to provide input and advice in coming years.

In the statement, Christine Frazier, the president of the race's board of directors, offered “thanks beyond words to the Carrolls and Shermans for all they have done.

“We are proud to make this a year to celebrate the legacy of these four individuals,” Frazier said.

In the same statement, Mr. and Mrs. Carroll cited the prospects for long-term stability provided by a 10-year sponsorship agreement—announced last October—and a recently completed round of appointments to the board of directors as factors in their decision to hand over leadership of the race.

“After 38 years, this was the right time to step down from our positions as co-directors,” The Carrolls said. “There is a dedicated, hard-working board of directors who individually and as a group are committed to the future success of the race. There is a new, long-term title sponsorship agreement with New Balance, which will enable the race to flourish and grow.”

In an interview on Thursday morning, Mr. Sherman said he could not comment on the specific considerations that led to the resignation of his wife and himself, but expressed pride in the growth in significance and prestige the race has undergone since its first running in 1973, when approximately 100 athletes participated.

“The race is an integral part of our community,” Sherman said. “It's woven into our fabric. We're part of the core of the community.”

Asked if he was confident in the future of the race, under its new leadership, Sherman preferred to characterize his feelings as “hopeful.”

“I'm leaving it to the community,” Sherman said, “and I'm wishing Matt the best. I've known Matt for years, and he's a sharp young guy.”

The apparent suddenness of the announcement, and the characterization of the Shermans' departure as “resignation” rather than “retirement,” have caused some in the community to wonder if ill feelings lay behind the change in leadership. Carl Cavossa, vice president of the board of directors, downplayed that perception.

“”It's not really sudden,” Cavossa said on Thursday. “This is something that, in their minds, they've known they were going to do for years.”

Regarding the wording of the announcement, Cavossa said it was due to the Shermans' desire to avoid the perception of professional retirement. Both still work full time, Mr. Sherman in the insurance industry, Mrs. Sherman as an educator (named Massachusetts Teacher of the Year in 1995-96).

“It really just comes down to one thing: their preference to resign rather than retire. It's a matter of how you word it. They felt very strongly that age is not a factor in this, and it's not.”

Cavossa said he was confident that both couples would remain actively involved in the race “for years to come. This is like a family event, and I see that continuing. Both have families that are integral in the Road Race.”

Cavossa offered the imminent change in the registration process, from fully paper-based to partially or completely electronic, as an example of the continuing importance of the two couples to the future of the race.

“Matt's going to implement that, but it's one of the things we looked to our past leadership for,” Cavossa said. “The past leadership can help guide us in the future.”

Mr. Sherman's future plans certainly involve the Road Race. An active runner, he says he plans to participate in at least one upcoming running.

“I'll be 77 when the race turns 50,” he said. He plans to run in at least that milestone anniversary year.

But Sherman said he probably won't be at this year's race, either as a participant or a spectator. He said he may decide to be out of town on Sunday, August 14, when the 39^th running of the race will be held, so that he does “not have to watch my baby become a full-scale adult.”