The Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee (FBRTC) is thrilled to announce the successful completion of the 5K race hosted by the Tri-Valley Front Runners (TVFR), which raised over $8000 to support trail improvements. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to TVFR, and especially to Mark Capparella, the TVFR race director, and his team for their unwavering support and exceptional organization of this event. At the most recent FBRTC meeting, Mark and the TVFR team presented FBRTC President Paul Stamp & FBRTC race director Sue Fleuette with a donation of $6016. That donation will go towards the committee’s efforts to advocate for continued development and maintenance of the Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT). TVFR also donated race proceeds to the Franklin Food Pantry in Franklin and St Blaise Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry in Bellingham. Along with the donation from TVFR, over $2500 in donations were received from from local businesses, including the event’s Platinum Sponsor, Body Fit Training (BFT) Franklin Village
The Tri-Valley Front Runners, the premier running organization in the Tri-Valley region, took over the production of this race in 2019 when Dave Labonte, the former director, stepped down. Steve Pohnert, a member of both FBRTC and TVFR, facilitated this transition, and since then, TVFR has continuously supported our cause. The event resumed with a virtual race in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by an in-person road race in 2022, and in 2023, we successfully hosted our first trail race.
TVFR, founded in the early 1980s, is an all-inclusive, vibrant running club that welcomes runners of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. They organize a variety of events, including road races, trail runs, track workouts, and group training runs, fostering a sense of community and promoting healthy living. For more information about TVFR, visit Tri-Valley Front Runners.
The FBRTC is a non-profit organization dedicated to the use and development of the SNETT. Our mission is to create, promote, and maintain a safe and accessible trail system that benefits the communities of Franklin and Bellingham. Learn more about our efforts at Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail.
The May 16th 5K race saw a total of 177 finishers, just shy of the record 184 finishers in the 2024 race. The success of this event is a testament to the hard work and collaboration between our volunteers and the TVFR team, including community volunteers and TVFR members who participated in the race.
We would like to acknowledge and congratulate our top finishers: Daniel Kurczy of Bellingham, who won the overall men’s category, and Bethany Prostano of New York who won the overall women’s category. A total of 58 medals were awarded across various age groups, celebrating the spirit and competitiveness of all participants. Full race results can be found at 2026 FBRTC 5K Results.
The next race is scheduled for Saturday, May 15, 2027. We look forward to another successful event and continued support from our community. For more information on how to get involved or support the FBRTC, please visit our website.
