The 13th Annual Captain Gerald F. DeConto, USN Scholarship Fund 5K Run and Walk takes place Sunday, September 21. Capt. DeConto, USN, was killed at the age of 44 in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the Pentagon. A scholarship fund has been set up in his memory to honor him and the legacy he left behind, which is one of service to his country, leadership, friendship and love of life and family. A scholarship is awarded each year from the fund to a deserving Sandwich High School senior. It is Capt. DeConto’s family’s hope that through the scholarship fund, he will continue to influence the lives of young people and that his memory, and the ideals he believed in, will live on.
“Over the last 12 years we have been please[d] to hand out over $55,000. in scholarships to deserving Sandwich High School students to help them with their higher education costs,” said David DeConto, Capt. DeConto’s brother.
The race begins at 9 AM at Russell’s Corner, at the intersection of Jarves Street and Route 6A. The registration fee is $20 for participants over 18 years old and $15 for those 18 and younger.
The 5K starts with a brief memorial tribute at 9 AM at Russell’s Corner. The course passes through the center of Sandwich to the Sandwich Marina and beach area finishing at the Super Stop & Shop Plaza in Merchants Square. Runners and walkers are welcome. Runners will leave the starting line first, with official timing by Spitler Race Systems of Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
Capt. DeConto grew up on Cape Cod, where most people still refer to him simply as Jerry.
At the time of the terrorist attack on the Pentagon, Capt. DeConto was in charge of the Navy Command Center and was in direct communication with the Secretary of the Navy, coordinating the Navy’s response to the attacks on the World Trade Center.
The entry fee is payable directly to the Captain Gerald F. DeConto Scholarship Fund, PO Box 824, Sandwich, MA 02563. All participants must fill out and sign the registration form. The first 500 registered participants will receive a race T-shirt. All registered participants will receive a race number.
Preregistration for the race will be held from 10 AM to 5 PM on Saturday, September 20, at the Super Stop & Shop plaza in Merchants Square.
Limited registration will take place on the morning of the race, starting at 7:30 AM at the race start location. Organizers suggest that participants preregister if possible to avoid long lines the morning of the race. If registering by mail, please plan to pick up your T-shirt and/or number during one of the registration events.
For a registration form and course map, go to www.geralddeconto5k.com.
