Local Runners Pick up the Baton for The Great American Relay from Boston to California
Volunteer runners began their journey to Westport at Bridgeport Fire Department. Pictured are: J Lucas, Nancy Wilson, Kelly Konstanty, Lisa Goldstein, Karla Cohen, Lauren Leppla, Kenji Ogawa, and Lead Runner Ken Gallagher. (contributed photo/no order)Beginning on September 11th to honor those lost to the World Trade Center attacks, the Great American Relay is making its way from Boston to Santa Monica, California to raise money for first responders and members of the military.
Volunteer runners make their way towards Westport with The Great American Relay batons. Monday’s schedule brought the relay from Branford, Connecticut to the World Trade Center Memorial in Lower Manhattan in ten separate stages - with stages 26 and 27 connecting at Westport Fire Department Headquarters at around 10:30 yesterday morning.
Local runners who volunteered to carry the baton from Bridgeport Fire Department Headquarters to its handoff in Westport were: J Lucas, Nancy Wilson, Kelly Konstanty, Lisa Goldstein, Karla Cohen, Lauren Leppla, Kenji Ogawa, and Lead Runner Ken Gallagher. The group handed the baton off to Barbara Campbell, Elizabeth Hofmann, and Lead Runner Jeffrey Wollman who carried it to Darien’s hand-off point.
In total, 58 runners helped get the baton from Branford to the World Trade Center Memorial by Monday night.
This morning the red baton will continue its journey West - with an expected arrival at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s City Hall late tonight with the help of several dozen more volunteers. By the time the baton reaches that West Coast - it will have traveled through 415 stages totaling 3,500 miles for nearly 40 days with the help of hundreds of volunteer runners.
To learn more about The Great American Relay or to find a stage to run with, click here: greatamericanrelay.com
CT United Ride Rumbles across Post Road as 9/11 Tribute Tours Connecticut
Members of the CT United Ride head over Post Road on Route 33 as they headed for Wilton this afternoon. The annual ride featured thousands of motorcycles from across the region and was nearly 45 minutes long as it motored through local communities. Starting at Sherwood Island, the ride continued through Fairfield County until it ended at Seaside Park in Bridgeport. The bikers were escorted by dozens of law enforcement and first response motorcycles, including Westport Police, Fire, and EMS personnel. Community members lined the routes throughout the State to wave flags and pay respect to the motorcade on the 20th anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks.
The first ride was held on September 30th, 2001 and has continued and grown since then - with all funding collected going towards family emergency relief funds for CT Police Officers, CT Fire Fighters and two local United Ways. WestportLocal.com photo
Gallery: The East Coast Open at Greenwich Polo
Greenwich Polo Club hosted the 2nd match in the East Coast Open on Sunday with Ellipse Polo defeating Gardenvale Polo Team and advancing to the Finals this Sunday, September 12. Hilario Ulloa, one of the top ranked players in professional polo was match MVP.
The Greenwich Polo Club is recognized as one of the elite high-goal polo venues in the Northeast, and is internationally recognized for its rosters of championship winning teams and players.
The East Coast Open ends this weekend with the finals. Click here for more information or tickets.
Click to enlarge gallery photos. All photos by J.C. Martin for WestportLocal.com
Labor Day Fun Comes to a Close
Golden skies over Saugatuck brought the Labor Day weekend to a close as families lingered on the South Beach jetty.