7th annual firefighters race a festive must-do in Mass.

By Mike Elfland
Telegram & Gazette (Massachusetts) 
Copyright 2006 Worcester Telegram & Gazette, Inc.
All Rights Reserved

WORCESTER, Mass. — New Jersey firefighter Bruce Barrios woke at home early yesterday and set out for the nearly four-hour drive to Worcester.

He encountered sunny New England weather, a rarity these days, and a swarm of people eager to take part in one of Worcester's biggest annual events.

The Worcester Firefighters Memorial 6K Race, a fundraiser for various city charities and a tribute to the six city firefighters who died in a 1999 warehouse fire, attracted 980 runners and walkers yesterday. The race is in its seventh year.

Firefighter Barrios believes, like most of the participants, that showing up, not winning, is the important thing. A member of the Madison (N.J.) Fire Department, Firefighter Barrios has taken part in all seven of the Worcester firefighter road races.

"It's part of the reason I come up, so people remember," said Firefighter Barrios, who this year was accompanied in Worcester by two New Jersey colleagues, Firefighter Samuel J. Cavaliere of Madison and Capt. Joseph M. Berchtold of the Teaneck (N.J.) Fire Department. Firefighter Cavaliere ran the route while pushing his daughter, Leah, 3, in a stroller.

Christopher Hopkins of Worcester won the race, posting a time of 18:33 on a course that traversed streets in and round downtown — beginning and ending at Institute Park. Caitlyn Clark of Worcester was the top female finisher, registering a time of 23:02.

The sunny weather, coming after a string of wet, gloomy days, added to the festive atmosphere during and after the race. Runners and onlookers crowded Institute Park for a cookout, a sports memorabilia auction and other events.

The road race is held in memory of the six city firefighters who died in the Dec. 3, 1999, Worcester Cold Storage and Warehouse Co. fire: Firefighters Paul A. Brotherton, Jeremiah M. Lucey and Joseph T. McGuirk, and Lts. Timothy P. Jackson, James F. Lyons III and Thomas E. Spencer.

Proceeds from the annual race go to city charities. This year's race will benefit the Mercy Centre, Friendly House, Camp Marshall and the Worcester Firefighters Memorial Fund. More than $150,000 has been raised since the race was founded.

Worcester Fire Lt. John G. Franco, an organizer of yesterday's road race, was buoyed by yesterday's turnout: "We're here to celebrate the lives of our brothers that we lost; we're not here to mourn them. We are here to celebrate their lives."

The hundreds of spectators who lined the race route offered a steady stream of cheers to a trio of firefighters from Worcester. Firefighters Mark Fleming, Nathan Schirner and Michael Papagni, members of the Worcester Fire Brigade Pipes and Drums, were dressed in a highly unusual combination: kilts and sneakers.

The three firefighters each carried a flag: American, Irish and state of Massachusetts. Firefighter Fleming carried the American flag, saying he wanted to show support for U.S. troops.