John Lee has been the Harvard Road Race Association race director for the last 15 years, taking over the reins from Jim DeZutter in 1995. John is retiring this year from his position as race director.
This is a tireless job that takes year-round planning and coordination and produces two outstanding races: the Fourth of July 5-miler and fall’s Apple Harvest Ramble 10-miler. John also helped with an Apple Blossom Festival 5-miler held in May for a number of years. These races have become New England traditions, with the fall 10-miler serving as one of the New England USATF Grand Prix races for a couple of years.
All of the proceeds from these races benefit our local charities and in the past have been donated to the Harvard Ambulance Service, Hildreth Elementary School, McCurdy Track, and the Bromfield girls cross country program, as well as national charities that include the ALS Disease Therapy Development Institute and the Joshua Frase Foundation. In addition, these races promote good health and provide a sense of community spirit.
John’s calm demeanor, leadership, and ability to put on a great race will be sorely missed. But we plan to carry on John’s tradition of excellent road races this year, adding a 5K trail race in October and continuing the Kids Cross Country race in November. (Check out www.harvardraces.org for details.)
We thank John for the years of hard work and dedication. And we urge residents to come out and support the July 4th 5-miler (running on July 3rd this year to coordinate with the July 4th activities), either by running or by supporting the runners.
Michael Thornton and David Fay
Harvard Road Race Association
