'Rally for Sally' Road Race Exceeds All Expectations

On July 4, you can expect fireworks, burgers and perhaps a cold beer. And now in Dedham, after a six-year hiatus, you can also expect a road race to kick off the day’s festivities.

Dedham’s own The Thirsty Irish Runners club presented to the community the inaugural Four on the Fourth Road Race to benefit and support pediatric cancer research.

The event was titled, "Rally for Sally," in honor of 11-year old Dedham resident Sally Naser, who is currently battling cancer.

Sally’s dad, Rob Naser, emceed the event and spoke briefly on how this event came into fruition.

"John McGready wanted to bring back a race, and in the past year when Sally was diagnosed with cancer it gave him a small kick in the pants," said Naser, "and it really motivated him with a cause to rally around, and the whole club to rally around."

The club exceeded all expectations with 300 runners signed up for the race as well as more than $5,000 raised for the event.

"We are very proud of our group, and the spirit that they show," said Thirsty Irish runner Jimmy English. "This is their way of giving back to both Dedham and for Sally especially, to show her support."

On the course, Dover resident and Gillette employee Andy Gardiner finished first overall with a time of 20:55.

"It was an interesting course, the guy who came in third went really fast, and broke up the field, but me and the second guy reeled him in at mile 1 1/2. Then I stayed on him [the leader] for 3 miles, then I took him on," said Gardiner.

On the women’s side, Brielle Chabot from Wellesley finished first for the women at 23:30.

Chabot was pleased at how she started the race, "I went out the pace I wanted to, and I focused the rest of the way."

Some of the other participants were from local running clubs such as the Parkway Running Club of West Roxbury. There were about 10 runners from Parkway participating in Monday's race.

“They supported us in our race in December, the Walters Run, and we thought we should come out and support their inaugural event," said Parkway RC member John Govoni.

After the race, there was music and food provided by Chuck Wagon and Whole Foods, as well as beer from Blue Hills Brewery to truly make the event a hit.

"It’s a great way to raise money for cancer research and just show community spirit for our family and Sally and that is the most important thing," said Naser.