Thanksgiving Day race will benefit HDSA

For the first time in its 12-year history, the Thanksgiving Day Race with Grace 10K will also be a fundraiser. Race organizer Bob Dyjak has joined with Huntingdon's Disease Society of America (HDSA), combining what was formerly two separate events, both hosted at First Bible Baptist Church (FBBC), 1039 North Greece Road. This is a certified 10K road race that has become a favorite with runners locally and across the Northeast. With the HDSA association, event chairman and organizer Bob Dyjak expects more runners, than the nearly 1,000 runners who ran in 2001, may participate.

The race begins on Thanksgiving Day at 9 a.m., 0.4 miles south of the FBBC property on North Greece Road. Following a flat, fast course that encompasses Latta, Manitou and Mill roads, it finishes in the north parking lot of the church. As a certified road race, the Race with Grace is recognized throughout New England as a top event. It is the USA Track and Field Niagara Association 10K Championship race in both Masters and Open categories. Because of its national status, the race is a serious event for many local runners. Cash and other prizes will be awarded to race winners in several different categories. This event was first run in 1991 as a community outreach of the church's Grace & Truth Athletics. Open to the running community at large, the race is staffed by over 100 volunteers from the church who give their morning to take care of the needs of the runners.