Chefs Classic 10K Road Race and Celebration of Food
For Runners Who Eat to Run and Those Who Run to Eat. It’s a celebration. This is a scenic 10K road race, a three-mile walk, and samplings from more than 15 Boston area restaurants. The Chef’s Classic has the recipe for a wonderfully enjoyable time.

Food for everyone's taste  E-mail this page  Printer-friendly page Related info: Official event website Register online

By Skip Cleaver
Posted Monday, 29 March, 2004

The Chefs Classic 10K is a certified and terrifically scenic loop around Lake Massapoag in Sharon, Massachusetts, which will run on Sunday, May 16. But it is so much more. This event really lives up to its name, by offering samplings from some of the best chefs in the Boston area — more than 15 —preparing food right where the race begins and ends. Opinions regarding post race food will never be the same after a stroll through the booths and menu samplings, including those from the primary sponsor, the Coriander Bistro.

The beneficiary of the Chefs Classic is a noble endeavor: The event raises money for the Rett Syndrome Research Foundation. Last year, the inaugural year of the Chefs Classic, they raised over $75,000 for research to defeat this devastating, debilitating disease found almost exclusively in girls. Approximately one in 10,000 girls will be diagnosed with this destructive disorder, and there is no known cure at present. For runners, of course, a disease that destroys motor control is of tremendous concern.

The running of the Chefs Classic 10K will fire up and also finish at Post Office Square in the center of Sharon, adjacent to the Coriander Bistro. This certified 10K is an old-time classic, heading out of town on Pond Street to Massapoag Street and a clockwise loop around the scenic lake, rolling along Foxboro Street and Cedar Street. The race blazes back to Post Office Square for the finish and the celebration on the town property immediately behind the Coriander Bistro and adjacent to the square. Beyond the finish line runners will find a sumptuous selection of post-race refreshments; runners may also choose to attend the optional Celebration of Food.

Race Directors Jill and Kevin Crawley (owners of the Coriander Bistro where Kevin is the head chef) and co-hosts Chuck and Paula Curley have organized this Celebration of Food and Fitness. They have also put together a terrific raffle and many merchandise awards for overall winners and for age group divisions. As you might expect, restaurant gift certificates will be a part of that mix.

For those who wish to earn their calories by walking, roller blading, or strolling, there will be a three-mile walk/stroll at 11:30 a.m. to get things rolling. The Celebration of Food and the 10K will both begin at 1:00 p.m. Tickets are also available for those interested only in the food sampling; entry tickets to the Food area are available without running or walking.

FAMILY FUN

In addition to wonderful food and a great race, there will be live music by the Regressions, back by popular demand. They made the square really rock last year. Also returning is the Jim Show, unforgettable entertainment for the kids.

Perhaps some family members will run while others walk. Many will do both walk and run, spending some quality family time while doing a warm-up. Registration is available by mail, or on-line. Race Day registration will be available at the Coriander Bistro, as will same-day tickets to the Celebration of Food only. Registered walkers receive free entry into the Celebration of Food, while runners may participate. The runners who choose to opt out of the Celebration of Food get a discount as racers only.

THINGS TO KNOW

The 10K is certified and sanctioned by USA Track and Field, and there will be computer chip timing by Granite State Race Services. There will be T-shirts for all walkers and for the first few hundred runners. They will also be available for sale by others. There will be merchandise awards for the overall winners, those who place in 10 different divisions, and also for the top three fundraisers.

Menu samplings will be prepared at the location, and offered by the talented chefs of the Coriander Bistro, Legal Seafood, Sky Restaurant, Trattoria Della Nonna, Olio, Wards Berry Farm, and many others. Registration for all events begins at 10:30 a.m. More information is available at www.chefsclassic.org, or by e-mail at info@chefsclassic.org; you may also contact the Coriander Bistro at (781)784-5450 or www.corianderbistro.com.

RETT SYNDROME

Rett Syndrome of RTT is a debilitating neurological disease. The devastating, unusual disease strikes almost exclusively females, rarely, but sometimes striking boys as well. Kids with RTT develop normally until 6 to 18 months; with onset they are robbed of motor skills and speech, and suffer mental retardation, leaving these children severely disabled and completely dependent. It is distantly related to Autism and certain types of cancers. There are no known cures and no effective treatments today.

The Rett Syndrome Foundation is a non-profit corporation begun in 1999, and is the only organization devoted exclusively to finding a cure for this monstrous disorder. The Chefs 10K Classic encourages all participants to seek pledges to help this cause. For more information on Rett Syndrome, visit www.rsrf.org.

THE STARTING LINE

When Jill and Kevin Crawley bought the Coriander Bistro three years ago they were looking for a fitness program in Sharon to sponsor, and running was one of their hobbies. Friends of theirs, Chuck and Paula Curley, have an eight-year-old daughter, Caroline, suffering from Rett Syndrome, and had been involved in a walk in the area to raise funds for research. The two melded beautifully, and the response from other restaurants and sponsors has been tremendous. Last year the Chef’s Classic began as a five-miler, but the response was so overwhelming they wanted to create a true classic 10K to take advantage of the circumnavigation of the lake and the beautiful course that they run so often.
Conclusion

Whether you run to eat or eat to run, whether you are a mid packer or back-of the pack runner, or an elite athlete, this celebration will fit perfectly into your season’s plans. And you may get lucky with the raffle, even if you don’t win some of the terrific prizes available for 10 divisions. It will be a day of fun, fitness, and fundraising with a feel-good frolic in Sharon. If you choose to join in the fun, as a walker, runner, or gourmet, you will be in for a series of real treats. The fun begins at 10:30 a.m. with registration, followed by the walk/stroll at 11:30. The Chef’s 10K and the Celebration of Food will both cook at 1:00 p.m. Eating and Running activities will be both receive a healthy helping of fun.

Related info:
Official event website

Register online

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