If there’s strength in numbers, then this community is
bouncing back with every footfall. GE’s 5K Road Race to benefit the Petit Family
Foundation saw its highest turnout in the five years since the race was
established. Over 3,000 runners met together at the starting line Sunday
morning.
“We figured it would be a nice local race but it
turned out to be quite a community event. We’re very excited about this. We
appreciate everyone helping out our friend Dr. Petit,” said organizer Bob
Heslin.
Next week will mark the 5th anniversary of the brutal
“Generally, most people are good and most people want
to do good things. So I think for a lot of people this is a way to reach out and
do something for us, perhaps for me and my family but also for the community in
general,” said Dr. Petit.
The road race is the biggest fundraiser for the Petit
Family Foundation. So for many of these runners, crossing the finish line was
more than a personal triumph. That was especially true for those who came from
around the country to participate, like 74 year-old Joe
Liechty.
“We heard about it for years back in
“It is very tough with what happened. It was tragic
and you wouldn’t want that to happen to anybody,” added runner Jody
Heslin.
NBC Connecticut was a proud sponsor of the race. Many
here who donned numbers on their bibs and laced up their sneakers said they knew
the Petit family in some way. Not only is was the race a way to honor the legacy of the three Petit
women—it was also a way to help many heal.
http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/Road-Race-Benefiting-Petit-Family-Foundation-162514356.html