The 8th Annual Martin Richard Memorial One Mile Invitational took place on August 18 at Boston’s Moakley Field. More than 150 runners of all ages and abilities participated.
This special event celebrates the life of Martin Richard who participated in the YES Track & Field Program along with his siblings. Martin started his running career with YES in 2009 at age 5. In his early days, Martin chased his brother, Henry, and the older athletes, many of whom he would eventually catch up to and pass. Fairness, inclusion, and teamwork were always important values to Martin. This annual event is a special time for our community to come together to celebrate Martin’s zest for life as a competitor, teammate, and vibrant young boy.
Races this year included 400 meter races for ages 4-8 as well as a 400 meter Adaptive Race for all ages, and 1 mile races for youth, high school students, adults, and wheelchair racers. The event ended with runners, friends, and volunteers joining for a Non-Competitive 1 Mile Walk/Run/Roll for anyone!
Local Jamaica Plain athlete, Delmace Mayo, was in attendance, winning the 400 meter adaptive race and coming in second only .06 seconds behind the winner in the 1 mile wheelchair race. Delmace recently won seven para track and field gold medals and one silver at the Move United Junior Nationals in Denver, Colorado and was also named the Sports ’N Spokes magazine (the “Sports Illustrated of wheelchair sports”) Junior Athlete of the Year.
All the proceeds from this event will go towards YES programs and helping Boston youth. Over 1,000 children and teens participate in YES programs every year.
A huge thank you to our event sponsors and partners for this year including The Martin Richard Foundation, USA Track & Field – New England, and Adaptive Sports New England.