Run Medford To Feature Celebrity Runners, Local Legends For Fourth-Annual Event

September 5, 2025

Zdeno Chara and more will take to the race course on Sept. 27

BOSTON – Run Medford returns to the Dave McGillivray Track and the streets of Medford on Sept. 26 and 27. The fourth edition of the weekend-long celebration of community, running, and the City of Medford is produced by DMSE Sports and is a fundraiser for the Dave McGillivray Finish Strong Foundation. This year, the Dave McGillivray Finish Strong Foundation will donate funds raised by the event to causes benefiting local parent-teacher organizations in Medford. Registration is now open for the kids races, 5K run, five-mile run, and 2-mile walk.

The Celebrity Mile will once again be included in the weekend’s itinerary, with iconic Boston figures taking part. This year’s lineup includes former Boston Bruin Zdeno Chara, as well as:

• Breanna Lungo-Koehn, Mayor of Medford
• Billy Evans, Former Boston Police Commissioner
• Josh Brogadir, WCVB Sports Reporter and former Celebrity Mile champion
• Tom Caron, NESN Red Sox Broadcaster
• Paul Vento, Paulie’s Push
• Gary Leavitt, WATD Radio Personality
• Ryan Hoyt, Team Hoyt
• John Young, Para Triathlete
• Becca Pizzi, World Marathon Challenge champion and record holder
• Dave McGillivray, Race Director

The two-day event kicks off on Friday at the Dave McGillivray Track at Hormel Stadium, where children will enjoy Kids’ Fun Runs starting at 5:15 p.m. Distances for the youngest participants in Run Medford range from one lap around the track for those six years and younger, up to four laps around the track for 11 and 12-year-olds.

Saturday’s events begin with the Celebrity Mile, High School Mile, and Para Mile at 7:45 a.m., allowing participants and their supporters to spectate three unique competitions before the main events. The 5K run will follow at 8 a.m., along with the 5-mile run and two-mile walk at 8:10 a.m. All events start and finish at Medford City Hall, taking participants in all distances on a scenic tour of Medford.

The 5K is once again named in honor of Jerry Panarese, who was a member of the New England 65+ Runners Club. Panarese was the director of the Run of All Ages for 25 years. This race was going to end, and the foundation and DMSE teams decided to include it in last year’s Run Medford event to keep Panarese’s spirit alive.

This year, the race is aiming to expand its master’s field of runners by allowing participants over the age of 80 to register for the 5K at no cost. The goal is to create the largest field of 80+ runners in a 5K race in the country, further cementing the “All Ages” namesake of the 5K.

All participants receive Medford-themed swag, including finish medals and t-shirts featuring the blue Mustang mascot of Medford High School. Finishers also receive copies of McGillivray’s book “Running Across America, A True Story of Dreams, Determination and Heading for Home” – which tells the tale of his Medford, Ore. to Medford, Mass. run across the nation.

For more information on Run Medford, visit www.RunMedford.com and follow the race on Instagram and Facebook.

For more information on DMSE Sports, visit www.DMSEsports.com and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

For more information on the Dave McGillivray Finish Strong Foundation, visit www.davemcgillivrayfoundation.org and follow the foundation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

ABOUT DMSE SPORTS

DMSE Sports is a full-service event-management organization, providing a full range of event and race production, management, and consulting services to support events of all sizes. Dave McGillivray and his team at DMSE Sports are responsible for the technical and logistical aspects of more than 30 races and walks per year. From overseeing organizing committees to working with local officials and handling registration, credentialing, lead vehicles, and course setup, DMSE Sports does it all. The firm has produced more than 1,600 events since opening its doors in 1981 and serves clients throughout the United States. For more information on DMSE Sports, visit www.DMSEsports.com and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

ABOUT THE DAVE MCGILLIVRAY FINISH STRONG FOUNDATION

The Dave McGillivray Finish Strong Foundation seeks to inspire and empower youth across New England and beyond to increase physical activity, expand literacy, and build community and self-esteem through running, reading, and performing acts of kindness. Their vision is rooted in a belief that discovering a passion for physical activity, reading, and acts of kindness at a young age gives individuals self-confidence and self-respect, which empowers them to move forward—one step at a time. For over eighteen years, the foundation has remained committed to preparing individuals for future success and building vibrant communities. For more information on the Dave McGillivray Finish Strong Foundation, visit www.davemcgillivrayfoundation.org and follow the foundation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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MEDIA CONTACT

Meg Treat, APR

meg@treatpublicrelations.com

805.766.1500

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