Running Programs

Children's Road Race

What:  The Children’s Road Race is a fun 1.2 mile road race designed to let boys and girls ages 6-12 years old participate in running.  This road race has been a tradition for over 30 years, held on the Saturday that Franklin celebrates the 4th of July Celebration.  For years the Franklin Recreation Department has coordinated this event free of charge to all runners. 

When:  This year the road race will take place on Saturday, July 1, 10:00am.  Registration for the event will be held on our online registration page and also on site (at the Town Common gazebo) beginning at 9:00am, and the race will kick off promptly at 10:00 am.  Each year, this race is run on the Saturday during the 4th of July Celebration. 

Where:  The registration can be done online or on site and will begin at 9:00am at the center of the Town Common in front of the gazebo.  The participants will begin the race by meeting at the gazebo for a race orientation at 9:45am to review safety precautions, and race details.  We will then walk all the participants up to the corner of Crescent Street & Main Street next to the Verizon building.  Racers will run, walk, or jog up Crescent, take a right onto Martin Ave., right onto School Street, right onto Main Street.  At the St. Mary’s Church, participants will turn left and follow around the Common, take a left onto High Street, left at the corner of High Street & Main Street back down to the finish at the center of the Common.  Please review the race map with your child so they understand the route

Things to remember:  All runners should meet at 9:45 a.m. before the race at the gazebo to receive instructions on the race.  The Franklin Police will escort the entire road race.  Runners should follow behind Police vehicles.  Runners should stay off sidewalks and do not cut across private property to avoid disqualification from race.  Upon finishing the race, please give your bib attachment to the judge and go directly to the scorers table with your sticky label with your name & age on it.  Following the tally of results, (15-20 min. after race) wait to receive your participation ribbon and/or trophies. Thank you for your participation in the Children’s Road Race, we hope you have a safe and enjoyable 4th of July Celebration.  For more information about this program and many more, please visit our website at:

https://www.franklinma.gov/recreation-department/pages/running-programs

Results from this road race will be posted on our website and a press release will be sent to the local newspapers

Road Race map

KIDS TO 5K!

In 6 weeks, children will build up slowly to be able to run the full 5K distance. At the end of the program they will run a local 5K race!

Each week starts with a warm up and drills designed to prevent injury and promote good running form, before getting into our running workout. We also have an optional week night run at the town common.  This Fall our optional run will take place on Wednesdays from 4:30pm - 5:30pm.  We will discuss nutrition and hydration for before, during, and after exercise.  

Grades: 3rd-5th- 10am, 6th-8th– 11am

Dates: Sept. 11– October 16th (SATURDAYS)

Location: FHS Track

INDOOR TRACK

Our indoor track is for all boys and girls ages 5-14 years old. Stacey Federico, Christina Tocci and Lauren Hagen will organize and run meets and practices along with many FHS athletes as support staff. Runners of all abilities can participate! This program will be held at Franklin High School indoor track during the winter.

Overview: Runners of all abilities can participate in events such as the 40 yard dash, 300 yard dash, 600 yard dash, 1000 yard dash, 1 mile run, 2 mile run and hurdles. Practices will be held at the Franklin High School. Weekend meets may be held at various indoor facilities. These meets are optional.

Program Dates: TBD

Site: Franklin High School Indoor Track

Time: Saturdays, 9:00AM, 10:00AM, 11:00AM

Equipment:

Participants must wear running sneakers/athletic shoes, comfortable clothes to run in and water is highly recommended.

COACHING STAFF BIO’S

Stacey Federico: Started running as a way to stay in shape in the off season of swim team in High School and, ended up enjoying it so much, walked on to the Track and Cross Country teams at Ohio Wesleyan, competing on the collegiate level from 1994-1998. I enjoyed the thrill of competition and continued to run in graduate school and beyond, racing distances from the 5k to the marathon. When moving back to MA from the Midwest, I joined the tri-Valley Front-Runners where I made many new friends in the community and continued to learn more about the sport. I am still part of this running club today.