Petit Family road race to see changes in 10th year
June 30, 2017 03:18PM
By Ashley Kus The Plainville Citizen
PLAINVILLE — In August, the community will come together for the 10th year to walk and race through town to benefit the Petit Family Foundation.
“It’s a double edged sword,” said Dr. William Petit. Next month, July 23, will mark 10 years since his wife Jennifer Hawke-Petit, and daughters Hayley Elizabeth Petit and Michaela Rose Petit, were killed in a home invasion.
The road race, formerly sponsored by General Electric (GE), has been held for the last decade in the family’s memory. Through proceeds from the race, the Petit Family Foundation has awarded over $2 million in grants to programs all over the state and across the country.
From this section: Middle School of Plainville third trimester honor roll This year, the race will be held Sunday, Aug. 6, as opposed to the usual date in July due to heat concerns. The new location for the race will be Plainville High School instead of the former GE parking lot.
The event will be set up in the grass area of the high school next to Route 10. Vendors will be on Robert Holcomb Way.
Petit said there will be a moment of silence during the event for Robert Holcomb, a police officer who was killed in the line of duty 40 years ago.
The police department, fire department, school and town officials will all be attending.
“The Petit Road Race has become one of the major annual events in Plainville,” said Town Manager Robert Lee. “The organizers do a fantastic job in planning the event and making sure that the community and the participants have an enjoyable experience.”
More than 1,000 racers from 10 different states and one other country participated in the event last year. Children ages eight and under also enjoy the race with a kids fun run a half-hour before the 5K race.
Petit said over 200 volunteers are responsible for making the event a success each year, as well as the support of the town.
“It’s been incredibly heartwarming,” Petit said. “It shows a lot of good in the community.”
More information can be found at http://www.petitroadrace.com/index.shtml