What You Need to Know for Stoneham's Veterans Day Ceremony & Run

About the ceremony:

Stoneham’s ceremony will be starting at 10:30 am in the Town Hall Auditorium, 35 Central Street. All veterans in attendance will receive a special pin recognizing their service. World War II Navy Veteran Joseph Alongi of Stoneham will be honored for his service on the USS Mt McKinley in World War II, which was awarded the Meritorious Navy Unit Commendation for actions against Japanese aircraft, shore installations and mines during campaigns at the Palau Islands, Leyte and Okinawa, among others. Speakers will include state senator Jason Lewis, state representative Michael Day, with musical performances from the Stoneham Chorale Group and the Stoneham High School band. Local Boys and Girls Scouts will participate as will American Legion Post 115 and VFW post 620. The public is encouraged to attend this important recognition of our veterans.

About the 5k & 11k race:

The Veterans Day 5K & 11K Run/Walk will take place at 11:30AM. The race directly follows Ceremony and starts and finishes in front of Stoneham Town Hall.

If you have not registered yet, you can:

• Register online at racemenu.com/stonehamvdr19. Online registration will be open until 12AM on Saturday, Nov. 9th.
• Register in person at Marathon Sports. Participants can register at Marathon Sports at 401 Main Street in Melrose from 11AM-2PM on Sunday, Nov. 10. Registered runners receive a 20 percent discount on any in store purchase.
• Register at Stoneham Town Hall Race day registration will be held inside of Stoneham Town Hall (off Emerson Street) on Monday, Nov. 11 from 9AM-11:30AM.

If you are already registered:

• Stop by Marathon Sports on Sunday. Pre-registered runners are encouraged to pick up their packets on Sunday, Nov. 10 at Marathon Sports Melrose from 11AM-2PM. While you are there, take advantage of 20 percent discount on all purchases made in the store during that time.
• Pick up your packet before the race. Pick up your packet inside of Stoneham Town Hall (off Emerson Street) on Monday, Nov. 11 from 9AM-11:15AM.

Why an 11K Distance?
The 11K is in honor of Veterans Day which is held on November 11th to mark the anniversary of the signing of the armistice, which ended World War I. The Town of Stoneham hosted the first 11K road race in the United States in 1999.

What is included with registration?
Preregistered participants will receive a long sleeve tee shirt and awards (gift cards to Marathon Sports and Whole Foods) will be given to the 3 top finishers male and female of each distance. Veterans and active duty military members can register at no cost. Participants are invited to a post-race lunch provided Angelo’s Pizza.

What if I change my mind about the distance I want to run?
It is no problem at all! The distance you are timed for is based on crossing certain points along the course, you can decide at any point to run either distance.

See the course
To see the race route, please visit https://veteransdaymemorialrun.org/race-course/.

Parking
There is ample on-street parking available on Main Street, Franklin Street and Pleasant Streets. Parking is limited at Town Hall for veterans attending the ceremony and we ask race participants to leave these spaces for them.

Race day schedule
9:00 AM: Check-In and Registration opens
10:30 AM: Veterans Day Observance Ceremony begins
11:11 AM: Ceremony concludes*
11:15 AM: Race participants begin to assemble
11:30 AM: 5K & 11K Run/Walk begins
12:00 PM: Post-race pizza for participants

*Please be certain to remain seated until colors have been retired. The ceremony is not over until this has been completed.

Questions? Please contact Megan Day at megankday@gmail.com or call (617) 548-7721.

This event is made possible by the generosity of our sponsors:

Gold Sponsors

• Angelo’s Ristorante & Pizzeria
• Powderhouse Plumbing
• SalemFive Bank
• StonehamBank
• Winchester Hospital, Beth Israel Lahey Health

Silver Sponsors

• Ameriprise Financial - Tyson Lashey
• Burke and Company, LCC Certified Public Accountants
• Chase Orthodontics
• Gerrior Masonry & Landscape Construction Corp.
• Lake HVAC
• Marathon Sports
• Stoneham Ford

Bronze Sponsors

• Boston Sports Club
• Cassidy Landscaping
• Eastern Bank
• HP Smith Co., Inc. Monuments
• Selectwoman Shelly MacNeill
• Spartan Paint and Supply
• State Representative Michael Day
• Walsh Landscaping