Here are some of the pictures from a GREAT event in Northborough, Ma. on April 11th. It was a 5k road race followed by an amazing barbecue and family day. Richard Romaine (pictured by the cooker with Bonny) and his wife Erin (pictured with me and Bonny) put the entire event on to raise money for the fight against Autism. Richard and Erin own "Romaine's Wood Grill And Bar" at 299 W. Main St. in Northborough, Ma. Their 1st annual 5k race drew 300 participants and was held at a local school. It was a perfect day for the race and every one's spirits were high.

The theme for the event was --Run-Grill-Chill-- and they gave you everything you needed to do all three. Sira was everywhere taking pictures, the bounce houses were full of kids and bouncing all day, glasses of "carbs" were available for recoop, the food was some of the best you ever tasted and as much as you could consume, the weather was fantastic, live music--NEED I CONTINUE??? IF YOU DIDN'T MAKE IT YOU NEED TO PUT IT ON YOUR CALENDER AS A "GOT TO BE THERE" FOR NEXT YEAR.

This was a great day, put on by a great group of people, for a great cause. "THANK YOU" to Rich, Erin, Bonny, Sira and all those whose efforts created a wonderful experience for all.
This was such a good day that there are 2 more entries about the event and the day, so check out the entries that follow this one to get more of the story.

What a day for the entire family at the April 11 Barbecue and 5k race in Northborough, Ma.. These are pictures of only some of the things going on at Romaine's Restaurant, at 299 W. Main St. after the road race. The big cookers were cooking up enormous quantities of the best foods in the northeast. A wide array of melt in your mouth delicious foods were put out for the runners and their friends and family. Along with great live music by "Changes In Latitude" there was face painting, free ice cream and cotton candy and it was all presented to you under the a blue sky. It was a WONDERFUL event for everyone. Richard, Erin, Bonny, Sira and all the other hard working volunteers deserve a "Standing O" for their efforts not only to raise funds for Autism, but also to put on a fantastic event for the entire family.

These pics were taken at the race part of the Barbecue and 5k for Autism on April 11. Pictured with me are Erin, who with her husband Richard own the Romaine's Restaurant and put on the event, and Bonny, who was co-ordinating many things at both the race site and the bbq site after the race.

Sira was not only doing photography for the race and bbq, but, was a wealth of knowledge and with her great personality was a pleasure to hang out with and talk to.

Then there was PJ...As many of you runners know during the running of a road race you will many times focus on different people running near you. This can be for many reasons. To help pace yourself, to have someone to talk with, or someone you have picked out knowing you are gearing up to make sure they are behind you when you finish. I was two out of three of those people for PJ. And, in case you haven't figured it out, we didn't talk during the race.

I was floating along feeling pretty good about my run, when I hear someone coming up beside me. Yep...PJ. He moved a bit past me on a down hill (usually my strong point) and then I past him on the next up hill. This went on for over half the race until we were just under a half mile from the finish line. At that point PJ turned on his jets and left me in the dust. After the race we got together, as you can see in the remaining picture, and I found out this was his first race and he had bought his first pair of real running shoes the week of the race. I promised him I would tell all of you that he kicked my butt in his first race and now you know.

PJ and I are pictured with new and old friends that met at the race. (left to right) Craig, Barbara, Sheila, myself, Elizabeth ("E") and PJ. I am just realizing while writing this entry that I never inquired if any of the others had been beaten by PJ. I must have been too busy licking my wounds and looking forward to drowning my sorrows in a glass of carbs at the bbq later. All kidding aside--Great start PJ.

All in all 300 people showed up to this 1st annual 5k which was a great start and a great boost to the funds that the Romaines raised for the fight against Autism.