Racers from Boston and Beyond Come Together for YES and the Martin Richard Foundation

The 6th Annual Martin Richard Memorial One Mile Invitational took place on Thursday, August 15 at Boston’s Moakley Field. More than 200 individuals of all ages and abilities attended and participated.

2019 event sponsors and partners were the Martin Richard Charitable Foundation, Adage Capital Management, Adaptive Sports New England, New Balance Foundation, and USA Track and Field-New England.  Event highlights included 400 meter races for youth 8 and under, one-mile races for ages 8-12, high school students, wheelchair racers, adults (open and masters), and elites.  Another highlight of the night was the crowd-favorite non-competitive community one-mile run/walk/roll.

For the first time ever, an Elite Wheelchair race was run in addition to Elite Men’s and Women’s 1-mile races.  Six elite wheelchair men and two elite wheelchair women traveled to Boston to compete in the race. Both the Men’s Wheelchair winner (Daniel Romanchuk- 3:25) and Women’s Wheelchair winner (Tatyana McFadden – 3:51) set meet and stadium records. Daniel Romanchuk is the youngest ever winner of the Boston Marathon and Tatyana McFadden is a five-time Boston Marathon champion and Olympic medalist.

Now in its sixth year, this annual event celebrates the life of Martin Richard who participated 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.

Visit www.teamMR8.org to learn more about the Martin Richard Charitable Foundation. Thank you to everyone who attended, sponsored, and supported this very special event.