'We've had nothing but positive feedback': Upgrades pay dividends for Fred Warren Road Race

Next Sunday's 61st Fred Warren Road Race in Holden shall show that tinkering with tradition can pay off with pleasing results.

New course, new distance, new start time, new location — those changes could have been too much for traditionalists to handle last year.

But maintaining low entry fees on the last Sunday in July and holding strong the memory of an esteemed pioneer in the region's running community, along with the organizational touch of the Central Mass Striders assured participants that there indeed is no break with midsummer tradition.

"We had a good turnout last year," said Central Mass Striders vice president Jay Morrissey, who is co-race director with CMS president Steve Laska. "We provided an event experience, and it feels important that all aspects of the community are represented."

For many years, former Shrewsbury High track and cross-country coach Gordon Warren headed up race operations before retiring to Cape Cod. CMS stalwarts Andrea Berger and Nicole McGurin teamed as directors for six years and guided the event through a crucial turn a year ago.

"They held it together and kept it going," Morrissey said. "They made some decisions that really paid some dividends."

The previous 5½-mile course was unique, but a 5K in the summertime helped add to the field last year, plus part of the traditional course is on the route. Moving to a morning start (now 10:30 a.m.) from the twilight increased the likelihood of more agreeable temperatures, while dodging the possible threat of a late-day thunderstorm.

"This is the more popular distance, and this course is a little more forgiving," Laska said. "A few of the old-timers may have missed the old course, but we've had nothing but positive feedback."

Starting, finishing and celebrating at Seven Saws Brewing Company, at 112 Industrial Drive, is another win-win-win for the race.

"Seven Saws had been a great partner," Morrissey said. "They bring on the food trucks, the live music ..."

"It's a real nice setup out back," Laska added, "a great post-race atmosphere."

The price remains tough to beat. The entry fee is just $20, $15 for students, and $25 on race day.

"Everything has gotten more expensive," Laska said. "Twenty dollars can be about half of what it costs at a 5K today, with some half marathons now upward of $150. It's a sport we all have come to love, and it's gotten way more expensive, so here we try to hold the line."

The Central Mass Striders are proud to honor Fred Warren with this race. "He's the founding father," Morrissey said, "of what became the Central Mass Striders, and of this race. We're proud this event maintains his name."

In later years, Warren, who died in 2019 at age 95, was one of the race's most ardent cheerleaders, enthusiastically urging runners along. While Warren was the legendary cross-country/track and field coach at Wachusett Regional, he established the Wachusett Striders AAU running club, which evolved into the Central Mass Striders. "We wouldn't be here without Fred," CMS cites on its website.

A portion of the proceeds will go to the CMS Scholarship Fund. For more information, visit cmsrun.org/races-events-3/fred-warren/.

Last year's race enjoyed an increase in entries, to 130, up from the 80-100 from recent years. "The formula for last year worked," Laska said.

"Last year's race had a different flavor," Morrissey said. "And we're hoping to return the folks that came to find us last year."

—Contact John Conceison at john.conceison@telegram.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ConceisonJohn.