Greetings all,
The Groton Road Race has a new course for 2023. The race is scheduled for May 7 and this weekend I received official word that Amateur Radio support is again requested by the Race Committee and Groton Police Department. This is short notice, but we’re all prepared for “emergency” service are we not?!
The 2023 5k and 10k courses both start and finish on the grounds of the newly opened Groton Hill Music Center at 122 Old Ayer Road. The runners will exit Groton Hill Music Center and head south on Old Ayer Road, across Smith St to Culver Rd then north to Farmers Row. Along Farmers Row the 5k and 10k will take different paths to eventually return to Groton Hill Music Center.
The planned event schedule this year is similar to 2022; the two main races will start shortly after 10am. The communications support that we provide is expected to start around 9am and we should be done shortly after 1pm.
The Groton Road Race continues to be a major event for Amateur Radio in North Central Massachusetts. Those of you who have joined us in previous years know that the runners sincerely appreciate our presence. Many say so as they run past. This event is so large that Police Departments and other public safety organizations from several communities come to assist the Groton PD. Part of our role is to provide the communications from the Groton Police to these out-of-town officers who come to help with this event.
Contributing to the public good is one of the reasons Amateur Radio exists. Our public service events are a key opportunity for us to show our colors, volunteer our skills and equipment, and demonstrate why it is in the public’s interest to continue to allocate precious RF spectrum to our the Amateur Radio Service. The Groton Road Race is a low-stress event and a great way to gain more experience with the public service aspect of amateur radio. Please consider joining us on the 28th.
If you are a new Ham or know of another Ham who is interested in helping at these events but unsure of what is expected or what equipment may be needed, please do not hesitate to introduce the to me.
The Groton Road Race Committee and the Groton Police Department repeatedly praise and express their appreciation for our assistance in providing communications for this event for many years. I do hope you will be able to join us this year; please let me know.
Thanks and 73,
Ralph KD1SM
ralph@kd1sm.net
[1] http://www.n1nc.org/Events/
[2] http://grotonroadrace.com/
[3] https://grotonhill.org/