Walpole To Hold Camy 5K Run, David 5K Walk On Saturday

WALPOLE, MA - Walpole will be celebrating its 21st annual Camy 5K Run and David 5K Walk this Saturday morning at the Walpole Italian-American Club at 109 Stone St. to honor those who have been impacted by cancer and to help local charities.

Race organizer Paul Clerici explained that he decided to start a road race after two family members died after experiencing the ravages of cancer. His older brother, David Clerici, died cancer-free from medical complications from treatment in February 2000. That November, his grandfather, Camilio "Camy" Clerici, died of cancer.

"We decided we wanted to have something good come from all the bad," Paul Clerici, an avid runner, said. "At the time, I had run the Boston Marathon 11 times and many other races. They both supported me in my running and cheered me on at many races. So we thought a race and a walk would be a great way to honor them and also raise money for the hospitals that helped them."

The Clerici family has been members of the Walpole Italian-American Club, of which they were members for decades, which is why the course begins there.

"In those first few years, we raised funds for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Norwood Hospital Oncology/Hematology Clinic/Lab, and Norwood Hospital Cancer Center in Foxboro, to which we also donated a blanket warmer unit for chemotherapy patients," Paul Clerici said.

More recently, the race also donated money to many other organizations in town and beyond, such as the Walpole Community Food Pantry, the Walpole Italian-American Club and Society, One Fund Boston, Invensys Foxboro YMCA, the Coach Bill Squires Track Legacy Fund, Matty Eappen Foundation, and the Carol Hunt-Clerici Chamber Music Series Clerici Quartet.

"It's such a rewarding feeling to be able to continue helping others in their name and also to see so many people contribute," Paul Clerici said. "The event has grown to include impromptu family gatherings, friends getting together, and an overall sense of community that's so nice to see each year.

Despite the pandemic, Walpole was the only community to hold an in-person race in Massachusetts last year, according to Paul Clerici.

"We worked very closely with the Town of Walpole, boards of health, Walpole Police, DPW, and others to be able to hold a competitive race, fun walk, and a safe event," he explained. "Everyone worked together in such a wonderful, selfless way. We had to reduce the field and incorporate a lot of safety regulations and guidelines, but it was all good and all worth it because people had the chance to feel safe and get out of the house to run or walk. We were able to raise much-needed funds for the food pantry, which was really hurting during the pandemic last year."

This year's race is dedicated to Ed Damish and Bernardina Capparella, who both died earlier this year and were both strong supporters of the event.

"They were also family friends," he said "We miss their spirit, their presence, and their company. Family members will be our official starters and will sound the air horn to start the walk and to start the race."

The event will kick off with the 50-yeard Rosina Fun Run at 9:30 a.m., which was named for his mother, who died in 2006. The David 5K Walk will follow at 9:50 a.m., and the Camy 5K Run will start at 10 a.m.

"I hope lots of people come out to run, walk, cheer, contribute, or donate or buy raffle tickets if they can't make it to the event," Paul Clerici said.

In addition to the walk and run, there will be a raffle of autographed items and gift certificates.

There will be a separate silent auction for a round of golf with carts for a foursome valued at $400, which was donated by the Walpole Country Club. The minimum bid is $100. Bids are being accepted at the race or by 5 p.m. Sat., November 13 by e-mail at camydavid5k@yahoo.com.

For more information about the race and to register, go to this link.