Second Wilson Memorial 5k Run-Walk scheduled at FSC's Elliot Field

Bob Wilson

The second annual Bob Wilson 5K Run/Walk has been scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 28 at Fitchburg State College.

The 3.1 mile race starts at the Elliot Field track at Fitchburg State, continues north on Pearl Hill Road and then east on Fisher Road. Runners and walkers will then turn around and continue back to Elliot Field. Proceeds from the event will benefit scholarship funds established in Bob Wilson's memory, an Ashburnham resident, who died in 2005 worked.

Wilson for 19 years at Fitchburg State College as a photographer and a media coordinator, as well as within the Information Technology Department. He worked as a photographer in the United States Army, as a photographer for the Omaha World- Herald, as a news cameraman at Omaha's KMTV, as a radio news reporter, and later in the corporate video production field.

The Bob Wilson Memorial Scholarship Fund provides scholarships, through FSC and Fitchburg Access Television, to communications and broadcast students attending FSC and Mount Wachusett Community College.

One scholarship is awarded to a returning Fitchburg State College photography or film/video student; the first of these scholarships was presented in spring 2007. The other is sponsored by Fitchburg Access Television and will go to an incoming freshman at either FSC or MWCC. One Fitchburg Access Television sponsored scholarship was awarded during 2005-2006 and the second of these scholarships was presented in spring 2007.

Funds raised through the 2006 5K race and a Fitchburg State College Homecoming gift basket auction contributed more than $6,000 to the scholarships. Registration fees from the 5K totaled $4,800 and $1,226 was donated through the auction.

"I am so pleased to help benefit these students in Bob's name. The students who have received scholarships have been extremely dedicated to helping their communities, just as Bob did. I think he would be proud of them," said Tina Wilson, who was married to Wilson for seven years.

The inaugural 5K run/walk, which started at the college's Elliot Field and traveled through surrounding neighborhoods, involved 180 participants.

The 5K walk will begin at 12:15 p.m. and the 5K run will begin at 1 p.m. Participants can register online or print a registration form at www.bobwilsonfund.com. Registration is $12 before race day and $15 on race day. Contact Tina Wilson for more information at twilson@verizon.net or at (978) 630-9225.