Runners from Boston and Beyond Come Together at The Martin Richard Memorial One Mile Invitational

The 5th Annual Martin Richard Memorial One Mile Invitational took place on Thursday, August 16 at Boston’s Moakley Field. More than 150 runners of all ages and abilities participated. The 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. This special community event celebrates Martin’s zest for life as a competitor, teammate, and vibrant young boy.

2018 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.

Olympic medalist and five-time Boston Marathon winner, Tatyana McFadden, was a special guest at the invitational. McFadden hosted a wheelchair racing clinic before the start of the event.  She also congratulated youth runners in the 400m races with ribbons at the finish line.

This year, for the first time ever, there were one mile heats dedicated to nationally ranked runners runners who were invited to the event. Four elite men and five elite women traveled to Boston to compete in the race and celebrate Martin’s life. This year’s elite runners had competed at collegiate and national levels, and one elite even competed in the 2016 Olympic Games. Both the men (4:04) and the women (4:41) set meet and stadium records.

The 5th Annual Martin Richard Memorial One Mile raised over $2,000 for YES and the Martin Richard Charitable Foundation. Thank you to all of our supporters who attended the event.