Projo Running Blog

An impressive field is forming for the inaugural Bobby Doyle Summer Classic 5-Mile Road Race, to be held Saturday in Narragansett.

Bill Rodgers, four-time winner of both the New York City and Boston Marathons, plans to take part in the event honoring late great Rhode Island marathoner and Woonsocket High School running coach Bobby Doyle, who died last December of an apparent attack. Two-time Olympian and 10-time Providence College All-American Marie Davenport will also run, as will six-time time PC All-American Mary Cullen. U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier Matt Pelletier of Warwick will be a top contender for the men's overall title.

"Bill and Bobby trained together," said Doyle's older brother, Jim, who is serving as co-chairman of the race committee along with Bobby's oldest sons, Brendan and Patrick. "When Bill won Boston in 1979, Bobby finished seventh. Bill actually called us. He just wanted to come down and run the race. That's the way he is."

Some members of the University of Texas-El Paso squad that won the 1969 NCAA Cross Country Championship along with Bobby Doyle also plan to make the trip to Rhode Island for the 5-miler, which will begin at 5 p.m. at the Narragansett Pier School, 235 South Pier Rd., adjacent to Narragansett High School.

Proceeds from the race will benefit a scholarship fund that has been established in Doyle's name, as well as the newly-created Bobby Doyle Youth Running Fund and the Bobby Doyle Cardiac Awareness Endowment Fund.

In addition to the usual age-group categories, the race will also be offering a "King and Queen of the Road" challenge to runners who are either currently enrolled in a Rhode Island high school or are 2008 graduates.

Runners and walkers can pre-register for the race on-line at http://www.needtorace.com for $18. The entry fee on race day is $20. More information is available at the race Web site: http://www.bobbydoylesummerclassic.org

 Tags  Bill Rodgers Bobby Doyle Summer Classic Marie Davenport Matt Pelletier

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