A Very Good Friday In The Fight Against Cancer

Every year the Good Friday gatherings at Anne Lynch’s Birchwood Drive home get bigger.

And every year those gathered raise a little more for the fight against cancer by participating in a 5K that winds through the neighborhood.

This year’s tally: more than $3,000.

The event, called the Birchwood Mad Dash,” began in 2011 as the brainchild of Lynch and a group of her friends.

The group tries to run a 5K every month, but after competing in a New Haven race on St. Patrick’s day two years ago they couldn’t agree on an April event everyone could attend.

So they decided to just have one at Lynch’s house on Good Friday, figuring a lot of people would be off work and proceeds could go to the American Cancer Society.

At the time, Lynch’s mother was battling colon cancer. She would later pass away from the disease.

About 35 people showed up on no more than a month’s notice and the group raised about $700 to donate to the ACS.

ETHAN FRYWord had spread a bit more by last year, when about 100 people showed up to participate to raise about $2,000.

A total of 128 took part this year, raising a cool $3,200, Lynch said, predicting Next year will be even bigger!”

As runners gathered at Lynch’s house before the race, the weather was warm (enough, for March), the coolers were stocked, the music was pumping — and there was even a bouncy house for kids.

I want to thank each and every one of you for coming out today,” Lynch told participants. It means the world to me.”

She dedicated last week’s race to those who have lost their lives to cancer, people currently fighting the disease, those who have survived, and friends and families of those affected by cancer.

The course followed Birchwood Drive, Finney, Ford, Benz, and Hill streets before winding back to Lynch’s house.

This year’s male winner was Kevin Woodin, with a time of 22:11; the female winner was Michelle Mariano, clocking in at 23:40.

ETHAN FRYJimmy Benjamin, one of Lynch’s neighbors, said he is preparing to take part in a Tough Mudder” competition in June, and more training always helps.

But more than that, he said he took part just to help support Anne and her cause.”

I know it means a lot to her,” he said. 

Naugatuck resident Lauren Marganski took part along with her husband and the couple’s 20-month-old son, Dylan.

I’m a walker, for now,” Marganski said with one hand on Dylan’s stroller.

She said it felt nice to support a good cause, but also just to get out on a nice spring day and be around people.

This is my first year, but I’ve heard every year it gets bigger and bigger,” Marganski said.

Mayor James Della Volpe even showed up to don a racer’s bib and walk the course.

It’s for a great cause,” he said. Anne does a great job organizing it and getting people here.”

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