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To the editor:
On behalf of the Salem Park, Recreation and Community Services Department, a big thank-you to the runners, volunteers and sponsors who helped make the sixth annual Derby Street Mile on Friday, Aug. 20, our largest and most successful to date!
Nearly 500 runners of all abilities and ages entered the races, making it our largest turnout ever. It was great to see so many athletes of all ages and skill levels, as well as a great number of families, entered in the competitive and family runs.
Congratulations to Roger Donaghy and Sarah Bittermann, the winners of our competitive race.
Race sponsors included: The Waterfront Hotel and Suites, which also hosted the post-race award ceremony; Salem Trolley, which transported runners from Pickering Wharf to the starting line; John J. Walsh Insurance; Danversbank; B&S Fitness; CB Photography; the Boston Herald; the Stephen O'Grady Foundation; www.salemroadraces.com; and the Wicked Running Club.
Special thanks to the Salem police, who did a great job controlling traffic during the race. Thanks also to the National Park Service for providing electricity for our timers.
Community volunteers included: Beth O'Grady, Karen Giroux, Ellen Talkowsky, Meghan Murtagh, Ilene and Melissa Simons, Linda Jenkins, Alison Phelan, Amy Walsh, Eileen Dunn, Meghan Botticelli, Bruce Campbell, Ed Zielinski, Bill Woolley, Steve, Deb and Liz Touchette, Shannon O'Donnell, Kathey Moskal, T.R. Ramsdell, Mara Mendelsohn, Michele and Gif Campbell, Frank Kilroy, Fred Bollen, and Mike Toomey.
Thank you for another successful year, and I hope to see even more runners in 2011.
Doug Bollen
Derby Mile Director
Director, Park, Recreation and Community Services
Salem
