It's Fun to Run with the Y-M-C-A

Much like Jean Luc Picard stepped into fill the bridge post formerly held by James Tiberius Kirk, Sunday was a day for the Next Generation to step into the fold and show us longtime runners that the future of running in the family is in good hands - or feet.

The Lemay family took to the pathways behind the Tsongas Center and along the Merrimack River to crank out some of their best times EVAH for a 5K run (3.1 miles).

Haley and Brook have been tearing up the times of late, competing in races with the junior version of the Greater Lowell Road Runners.  Today, their older sister Addison, along with mom and dad, were logging the official miles along the Merrimack with them.

The race was the 5th annual 5K River Run the Greater Lowell Family YMCA holds annually (give or take a pandemic or two).  Proceeds from the race support the club's Annual Scholarship Campaign that provides assistance to keep the club's services accessible to all.

The girls' Papa and Memere also came out to cheer them on, along with younger sis, Harper

Andrew and his goddaughter were all smiles before the race started

Pre-race, it was smiles all around.  (Some would fade once the miles started getting notched)

Haley was like a lightning bolt right out of the chute, drawing first blood

Brook, with her pace car, Andrew

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Addy started with Mom and Dad, then agreed to let Uncle Pat jump in to pace her.

Not sure she'll  agree to THAT arrangement ever again!

A nice detour through the center of what was once the Lawrence Manufacturing Mills, getting us up to the Aiken Street Bridge

On the north side of the riverwalk, the eldest sisters were able to high five one another heading in and out bound

Brook was still in fine form heading into Mile 2 - her pace car was holding his own as well

On the final stretch into the finish, Mom and Dad Lemay kicked in the after burners to blaze across the finish line together.  Didn't check the official results, so not sure who topped the standings, not that it matters to this pair.

The finish line family photo!

With personal best times all around for the family, it proved to be a memorable day on the running paths for this family.

Truly invigorating to see the young 'uns stepping into the sport with such zeal and energy.  It does a heart good to see another wave making such incredible running memories, and doing it all as a family to boot - or, in this case, to sneaker!

Congrats Lemay Runners!