New race to benefit veterans in Somerset

Jan. 25--SOMERSET -- A new road race is being started in town to raise money for Somerset Veterans' Services.

The race, called Remembering Veterans 5K, will be held during Memorial Day weekend, on May 26.

"It's going to be a good thing to raise money to support our veterans," said Somerset Selectman Steven Moniz who is a U.S. Navy veteran and one of the organizers of the race. "Hopefully, we get a great turnout like they get at the BJ Voss Race. I would encourage all veterans, past and present, to participate. It's going to be a walk/run for all ages. It's going to be a great event."

The race for both runners and walkers will begin and end near the Amvets Hall, located at 659 Brayton Ave. The race will begin at 10 a.m. Number pickup and race day registration will start at 7:30 a.m.

There will be awards given to the overall male and female winners of the race, as well as the top runners in each age division. An award will also be given to the male and and female winners in a special veterans' division.

Runners will receive race tee shirts made with a camouflage design. The main sponsor for the race is the Walmart store in Swansea. Businesses that would like to place advertisements on the back of the race tee shirt can do so for a donation of $100. Businesses who would like to make donations can call the veterans' services office at (508)646-2827 or visit the office on the second floor of the Town Office Building, located at 140 Wood St. in Somerset. Race organizers are also looking for volunteers to give directions along the race route, work at registration tables and for other work during race day. Those who would like to volunteer can also call that number.

Refreshments and a raffle will be held after the race inside the Amvets Hall.

Runners will be sent free photographs of themselves running during the race.

The race, which will be held rain or shine, will be held on a course that is mostly flat.

Entry fee for the race is $25. Runners can register online at https://my.racewire.com/event/6149.

All of the proceeds from the race will be donated to Somerset Veterans' Services, which assists low-income veterans and widows with financial and medical assistance. The department also assists veterans with pensions, benefits related to service-related disabilities and helps them to get health insurance through the Veterans Administration Center. Heather Cheetham, Somerset's veterans' services officer, said about 10 percent of Somerset's population is veterans.

"It's something we've been talking about for awhile," Cheetham, who is the race director, said of the road race. "We hope to generate awareness for veterans in our community and hopefully we can use the money that we raise to help our local vets."

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