Reeves get ready for 2nd road race
By Karen Mann
With a week left until the Second

Annual Greg E. Reeves Memorial Scholarship Run, Debra Reeves hopes that the event will have as much success as it did in its first year.

The race honors William and Debra Reeves' son, Greg, who was killed on August 30, 2004 when he was hit by a truck while running in Worcester. The 19- year-old was a sophomore mechanical engineering major at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

"I would be thrilled if it was as equally successful as last year," said Debra Reeves.

Although heavy rain did not let up once the whole day last year, the race still had 459 participants. People did not let the rain stop them from coming out and having a good time, she said.

Proceeds from the race go towards scholarships for students at North Middlesex Regional High School. In the past two years, three scholarships have been awarded in Greg Reeves' name.

In 2005, one $3,000 scholarship was awarded to a student planning to attend WPI. This scholarship was awarded before the race was established from donations made to the Greg E. Reeves Scholarship Fund.

Because of the success of the 2006 road race, two scholarships were awarded. One was for $5,000 to a student who would be attending WPI; one for $1,000 went to a student attending the school of his or her choice.

Debra Reeves hopes to offer a comparable amount this year.

"That's what it is all about, the scholarships," she said. "Education and helping others was of the utmost importance to Greg."

According to Debra Reeves, the recipients of the scholarships are chosen based on academics as well as their character. The scholarship committee chooses through a blind process, meaning names are not included on the applications.

As for the race, Debra Reeves said it is a great way to honor her son.

The race will take place on Saturday, Oct. 7, at 10:30 a.m. The course, which is 4.6 miles long, starts near the Townsend Common, on Brookline Street, goes up Highland Street, comes down Meadow Road and ends back at the starting point.

This is an improvised version of a running course that Greg enjoyed and often ran, she said.

"He really loved Townsend, he loved to run, and he loved the route [of the race]," said Reeves.

After the race, lunch will be provided in the Fellowship Hall at the Townsend Congregational Church. A band will play on the Townsend Common. There will be an award ceremony, in which the top male and female runner will receive a $200 prize. Medals will be given to top finishers in each age category.

The organizers have received a lot of support from businesses and residents in town, as well as the public safety departments.

"We couldn't do the race without the support of the community," she said.

WPI has also been very helpful, besides promoting the race, they provide transportation by bus for those students wishing to partake in the race. Because Greg was a member of the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps, the local division has also been promoting the race.

So far, 150 people have signed up for the race. Reeves anticipates many will register the morning of the race, as was the case last year.

She encourages everyone to come and participate by either volunteering or entering the race, which is walk or a run. She said last year, people from all walks of life were there, some who didn't even know Greg, but who shared his love for running.

Reeves stressed that it will be a fun day, and the race and the scholarships funded by it are a good thing.

The first 300 registrants will receive a free t-shirt. For more information, contact Debra Reeves at (978)-597-5859.