Photo: Chaiel Schaffel/WBZ NewsRadio
WEST ROXBURY, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Tony Bligh could not help but marvel at the amount of people gathered at Billings Field in West Roxbury Sunday.
"This will be the biggest race we’ve ever had," Bligh told WBZ NewsRadio.
The race in question was the 30th annual Corrib Pub Classic 5K. Bligh's family runs the titular pub with locations in Brighton and West Roxbury.
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"The Corrib is a river in Galway (Ireland), where my mom is from, and that’s where the name came from," said Bligh.
Regarding the race's origins, Bligh said, "My dad and a few of his friends started 30 years ago. They started off with just a couple hundred runners, but it’s really taken off. We’ve been in the thousands for many, many years now."
1 of 2 Photo: Chaiel Schaffel/WBZ NewsRadio
2 of 2 Photo: Chaiel Schaffel/WBZ NewsRadio
The road race is also a way to give back to the community, raising money for local youth groups and charities.
"Well times are tough and we like to help the youth organizations, you know, like if anybody needs new helmets, new uniforms. We like to step up and help them," Bligh said.
While the adults hit the road, the kids in attendance stayed busy with free food, fun, and games. Bligh promised that they will all leave Billings Field sparkling clean.
"This is the best place on Earth," Bligh said. "Everyone’s invested. People are very proud of their park, they’re very proud of their city."
WBZ’s Chaiel Schaffel (@CSchaffelWBZ) reports.
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