9th Annual Sharon Timlin Memorial 5k Road Race to Cure ALS On Sunday, June 10th to benefit The Angel Fund

The 9th Annual Sharon Timlin Memorial 5K Road Race to Cure ALS, sponsored by the Hopkinton Running Club will be held on Sunday, June 10th, 2012 at Hopkinton High School. Proceeds from the road race and family fun day will benefit The Angel Fund and its research at the Cecil B. Day Laboratory for Neuromuscular Research at UMass Medical Center.
The race and family fun day is in memory of Sharon Timlin, mother of former Red Sox relief pitcher Mike Timlin, who was diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis,) a disease better known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, in May 2001. She died less than a year later, in March 2002. The event also recognizes and honors the Timlin family’s commitment to ALS research and The Angel Fund. Members of the Timlin family are expected to be on hand for the event.
The race begins promptly at 8:30 a.m. and is a 5K USATF–certified course with timed mile marks and professional chip timing provided by RaceWire. Awards will be presented to the top three male and female finishers. The top three finishers in the following age groups will also receive awards: 14 and under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-plus, and wheelchair division.
The entry fee is $25 and all registrations must be received online or by mail by June 6th. The race is strictly limited to 1,800 participants and registration will close when that number is reached, or on June 6th. There will be no race day registration for the 5K. Runners and walkers can register on line at www.sharontimlinrace.org. . Walkers will follow the runners at 9 a.m.
In addition, children seven to ten years of age can participate in a one-mile kids’ run. The $15.00 entry fee for the children’s race will include a technical T-shirt. Kid’s one-mile race registration is on line at www.sharontimlinrace.org, by mail, or at the race before 9:30 a.m., if space is available, as the event is limited to 200 runners. The children’s one-mile race begins at 10 a.m.
Family Fun Day activities will be from 8:30 a.m. until 12 noon and will feature fun for all ages, raffles, prizes, post race refreshments and entertainment. Because the race is a USATF-NE sanctioned event, baby joggers, bicycles, inline skates, etc. are not permitted.
Race organizers recommend that participants allow for extra time due to the anticipated heavy traffic volume. Due to limited parking, carpooling is encouraged. This is also a green event and there will be a secured bike valet available as well.
All events will be held rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather, the family fun day activities will be held indoors.
Mike Timlin and his wife Dawn have been strong supporters of The Angel Fund since joining the Red Sox in 2003. During Mike’s tenure with the Red Sox, the couple donated $500 for each regular season appearance Mike made on the mound for the Red Sox. In addition, Dawn has run in the Boston Marathon for The Angel Fund in the past, and Mike has made several appearances on behalf of The Angel Fund as a member of the Red Sox.
According to race organizer Abbie Rosenberg several companies and individuals have already signed on as sponsors, including platinum sponsors The Boston Red Sox Foundation, TJX, PR Running, and UMass Medical Center.
For information about the Sharon Timlin Memorial 5K Road Race to Cure ALS, please email run4als@gmail.com or visit the website www.sharontimlinrace.org
Donations in Sharon Timlin’s memory are also welcome and would be greatly appreciated. Donations can be made online at www.sharontimlinrace.org, at The Angel Fund website at www.theangelfund.org, or by sending a check made payable to The Angel Fund to The Timlin Race, 149 Wood Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748

Nancy Sharon Timlin
Nancy Sharon Timlin, born on August 13, 1941 in Abilene, Texas, was the eldest daughter of six children of Jake and Opal Beyer. Growing up on the Texas plains, she learned early the values of faith and family.
Sharon brought the same loving devotion and fierce commitment to rearing her own three daughters – Jeri Lynn, Tracy, and Sherri – and her son Mike.
Sharon always focused on the positive in life and left the rest to prayer. In times of trial and trouble, she would say, “Don’t sweat the small stuff,” and soldier on.
In early 2000, Sharon began noticing that her right foot seemed to drag, but with the same determination she lived her life, she chalked it up to being in a hurry and tripping and thought nothing of it. By the end of that same year, she was walking with a cane. Finally in May 2001, after countless doctor visits, Sharon and her family learned she had ALS. By July, Sharon was getting around by wheelchair only. Even though the disease moved quickly through her body she maintained a positive spirit.
Sharon lost her battle to the horrible disease, ALS, on March 12, 2002.
“Her courage in the face of this dreadful disease has inspired all of us to do what we can to raise awareness, contribute to research, and provide solace to those faced with ALS,” her family has said. “We are all so grateful to have had the time with her that we did.”