Branford Road Race: A Father’s Day weekend tradition

BRANFORD, Conn. — What is now a Branford Father’s Day tradition started in 1979 when good friends Ray Figlewski and Dick Wainman set out with the simple goal of holding an event residents could participate in and be proud of. That first year, the Branford Road Race, then called the Shoreline Road Race, had approximately 600 runners participating in the 7.5-mile run.  In 1980, the start and finish lines were moved to the Branford Town Green and the route changed so runners would get to experience one of the most beautiful shorelines in Connecticut.

In 1985 the Branford Road Race became a part of the newly founded Branford Festival to create a three-day event now in its 38th year bringing the people of Branford together on Father’s Day week-end.  As an integral part of the Festival, the Branford Road Race is an exciting family-oriented start to Sunday’s activities.

In 1997, John Bysiewicz, Branford resident and owner of JB Sports, was hired as the event’s race coordinator. John’s expertise and involvement has been indispensable in helping the race grow into an extremely competitive, well run national caliber event while preserving the same local flavor that Ray and Dick set out to accomplish in 1979.

Today, thousands gather on the Town Green as spectators or participants in one of three events.   In addition to what is now a 5-Mile Road Race race, day activities now include a family-friendly 2-Mile Health Walk and 1-Mile Kids Fun Run.  Both, the 1-Mile and 5-Mile courses are USATF certified and timed.

In 2006, it was decided another way to continue to have a positive impact in the Branford Community was to provide a platform for individuals to contribute and support local charities. Thanks to the generosity of Branford Road Race runners, thousands of dollars have been raised to support local charities which this year include Camp Rising Sun, Read to Grow and The American Parkinson Disease Association.

And as every runner rounds the final turn on Montowese Street and sprints towards the Main Street finish line, they will hear co-founder Ray Figlewski’s now very familiar “trademark phrase” —  “Thank you for running the Branford Road Race.”

And we thank you, Ray Figlewski and Dick Wainman, for your vision in making the Branford Road Race one of the premier racing events in Connecticut and the Nation.

For more information on the Branford Road Race visit www.jbsports.com

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