July 26, 2006

Dear Friends:

 

The Kulak-Parzych 5K has been around for 21 years and it is time say goodbye!!

 

When I started this race 22 years ago, I had three goals in mind:

 

  1. Celebrate the lives of those special folks that this race memorializes.
  2. Have a road race that was family oriented and was fun to attend.
  3. Fund a scholarship for a cross country runner at the local high school.

 

I believe these have all been accomplished.

 

At this time, the numbers of runners that actually run the race is way down.  I just don’t want to have a race and have no one show up.

 

This has been a labor of love for me.  I have had a lot of fun and met a lot of great people on the way.

 

I need to thank some folks that have been there from the beginning:

 

First, my right hand man on race morning, Tom Parker.  We have put up a lot signs, swept a lot of chestnuts and painted a lot of lines in 21 years. 

 

The head of Northeast Timing, Irv Black.  He has been my mentor and ear from the beginning.  I could not have done this without him.

 

The folks at the New Britain Parks and Recs, specifically Pete Ledger and Bill Demaio.  They made it easy to use the Park and did it

with a smile.  All their folks were great to work with ,too!!

 

The New Britain Police Department specifically Lt. Anthony Preventi and Sgt Gary Schutz.  They were always on time and did a great job!!!

 

The folks at New Britain EMS.  We never had to use them but they were always there!!

 

Gary Johnson.  He’s the one who made this the Maple Syrup race..It was good stuff!!

 

I need to thank and acknowledge a few folks that have passed away during the two decades: Mrs. Johnson, Lou Gagliardi,

My Aunt Mary Kulak and my Mom, Dorothy Parzych.  They were great helpers and inspired me to do this race the right way!!!

 

Finally, I need to thank all the members of my family – especially my wife who had to put up with my pre-race nerves –

and all the runners who became family.  You were great inspiration and I will miss you all.

 

I am not sure what will take the place of this race to raise funds for the scholarship so stay tuned.

 

I am going to print a commemorative T-Shirt by the end of September  – not sure what will be on it !!.  If you wish to have one send me a donation of at least the race entry fee of $10 and shirt size to:

Kulak - Parzych Memorial Scholarship

P.O. Box 2013

New Britain, Connecticut   06050

 

NAME____________________________________________________________      

 

ADDRESS _______________________________________________________           

 

CITY___________________________________________  STATE_____________    ZIP_________

 

T-SHIRT SIZE (Circle One)  SMALL                MEDIUM              LARGE                   EXTRA-LARGE

 

                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                Sincerely,

                                                                                                                                                Bob Parzych

                                                                                                                                                Bob Parzych

                                                                                                                                                Race Director