WEF thanks New England 65+ Runners Club

The Run for All Ages (RFAA) sponsored by the New England 65+ Runners Club was scheduled to take place this month. It would have been the 19th annual RFAA around Lake Quannapowitt.

The pandemic prevented this year's RFAA from taking place, but did not stop the New England 65+ Runners Club from making their annual donation to WEF. WEF is grateful for the relationship with RFAA and is honored to be the recipient of $2000 this year. WEF thanks the RFAA for their commitment to WEF and its mission to improve the educational experience for all students in the Wakefield Public Schools.

Members of WEF and WPS students, along with members of the New England 65+ Runners Club, including race founder, Jerry Panarese (back row, far right, gray jersey).

In 2012, the RFAA Committee selected the Wakefield Educational Foundation as a nonprofit to partner with for this annual event. For 8 years, WEF and RFAA have worked together to plan, prepare post race snacks, manage the water station, and promote a spirited event for all ages to support fitness across generations. In 2019, the ages of the runners spanned 6 to 90-years old. The New England 65+ Runners Club has generously donated race proceeds for the past 8 years to WEF. These donations have become an integral part of public scholastic grants enhancing the educational experience for all Wakefield students.

The New England 65+ Runners Club lost friend and race founder, Jerry Panarese to COVID-19 in April. This has had a huge impact on the organization and to the many who feel his loss in the running community. The RFAA committee is renaming the race in Jerry's name and plans for the RFAA to back in 2021. Mark your 2021 calendars: Jerry's Run for All Ages will take place on November 6, 2021.