running pg 3 5-5-22
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Marathon
These four, and many others, helped execute the Woodstock Marathon CT which raised more than $12,000 for Community Kitchens and Quiet Corner Reads. From left: Seana Weaver, Jessica Weaver Boose, Joyce Garabrant and Fraser Davis. Linda Lemmon photo.
Running Feet Help Extend a Helping Hand
Marathon raises
$12,000+
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
WOODSTOCK — “We knew it was time to get together; do things together,” said Woodstock Marathon Race Director Seana Weaver.
And they certainly did, raising more than $12,000 for Community Kitchens and for Quiet Corner Reads. The April 30 Marathon, 26.5 miles around Woodstock, seven individual runners and — new this year — six relay teams. The individual winners were Michael Stadolnik of Plainfield, 3:05:46; second was Arthur Kisby, 3:37:21; and third was Scott McClure, 3:38:14. The winning team was Team Tour de Woodstock, 3:33:31
Also a winner: Community Kitchens and the Quiet Corner Reads in northeastern Connecticut.
Weaver has worked to end hunger and food insecurity for seven years. In 2020 she was the Agency Relations Manager at Worcester County Food Bank. Now, she’s the Program Director of Fresh Truck at About Fresh in Boston.
Initially she targeted helping the five Community Kitchens in the Quiet Corner with solo marathons. Last year more than $8,000 was raised and the year before, $1,200.
This year they decided to expand the marathon to include relay teams.
Food insecurity and hunger are invisible and they became more prevalent very quickly during the pandemic “with little warning for people, especially in rural areas like this,” she said. The Community Kitchen had to shift its focus and they did it quickly and successfully, she said. They went to drive-thru and dry goods.
And the Quiet Corner Reads conglomerate in the Quiet Corner is a vital part of the community. “We need to keep a strong, safe gathering place for the public. Where they get resources for free,” Weaver said.
And the needs remain. And that’s where the Woodstock Marathon came in.
“I was incredibly grateful and inspired by the 20-plus volunteers who helped, at least 15 local businesses that gave money or prizes or both, and the four farms that also donated prizes and money,” she said. She added that the Woodstock Public Works Department, on its own, cleaned the race route roads right before the race.
With the giving people in the Quiet Corner, she said, “It’s inspiring to be their neighbor.”
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