Two Locals Help Team Run 200 Miles for Cancer Research

Many people enjoy their weekend mornings reading the newspaper (or Patch) and sipping their coffee. Some, such as Northborough residents Jenn Garron and Meredith Kent, decided to train and take part in a 12- member running team that ran a 200-mile, two-day relay race to raise money for cancer research.

The Mass Dash organizes teams of up to 12 members to run a total of 36 legs of the race, each leg being three to nine miles, for a total of 200 miles. It is a nonstop race that begins Saturday morning at the base of Mount Greylock in Lanesborough and finishes Sunday afternoon at UMASS in Boston. Team vans drive members to designated areas where team members transition from one to the other as part of the relay. Money raised by the runners benefits the Jimmy Fund.

This year’s race was held on July 16 through 17.

Garron and Kent’s team, Mass Confusion, was comprised of 12 runners from Northborough, Hopkinton, Boylston, Westborough, Acton and Worcester. Their team raised more than $4,000.

This was the second year for the team to run the race and it had eight returning members.

“We do have quite a few people on our team that have been personally touched by cancer,” said Garron. “I think that makes this particular race important to us.”

A two-day, non-stop race has its challenges though.“The nighttime legs were challenging because it was night,” said Garron. “None of the roads were closed so we were dealing with traffic as well as any wildlife we might encounter along the way.”

Each nighttime runner was equipped with headlamps, reflective vests and two flashers for safety precautions.

Another challenge cited by Garron was the daytime heat.“On Sunday this year, the heat was particularly challenging and teams were subbing in new runners every 20 minutes or so just to keep going.”

The race is not without highlights and favorite moments. “The course is beautiful,” said Garron. “It didn't hurt to begin the race on Mount Greylock with it's incredible views. I think my favorite moment was around midnight on Saturday. Meredith had a nine and a half-mile leg that crossed the Winsor Dam over the Quabbin Reservoir. 

The dam has been closed to foot traffic and vehicles since September 11, 2001, but it was opened just for us to run across. Another teammate and I jumped out of the support vehicle to run the two mile section across the dam with Meredith. It was a full moon and absolutely amazing.”

“This is the best race I’ve been a part of,” said Kent, “and I think it is because of the team element, which is unique in running. The ability levels on our team vary so widely, yet we all support one another equally.”

Garron agrees.“This is the only relay race I've participated in but it's by far the best running event I've ever been a part of.  It's amazing to be part of a team and do this awesome thing.  I was definitely changed as a runner after the event last year and I know there are at least eight of us that will continue to do it for as long as we can find teammates to run with. “

Both Kent and Garron plan on running this race again next year.  “We hope to find enough new people to take part so that we can have two teams going,” said Garron.“It would be great to have someone to run with, especially at night.”

“It sounds like such a huge undertaking,” said Garron, “but it really is accessible to your average runner. You just have to be willing to put in the training and be willing to have a lot of fun.”