The Shin Splints for Bryce 5K road race this weekend will support regional addiction recovery services, in memory of Rindge resident Bryce Olson.
Bryce’s family started the race after his death from a drug overdose on July 7, 2018, at the age of 33. Bryce had a long struggle with opioid addiction, but had been in recovery before his passing, and in an attempt to get healthier, was training to run a 10K with his sister, Rochelle Blanton, when he died.
The siblings bonded over his training, and his complaints about the shin pain running caused were the inspiration behind the 5K name.
“As soon as he passed, we knew this is what we wanted to do,” his mother Sandy Olson of Rindge said.
Proceeds from the run will be donated to House of Hope in Keene, Reality Check in Jaffrey and Gates Recovery in New Ipswich.
The first Shin Splints for Bryce 5K race was held in 2019, with both a race in Rindge and an option for racers to register and run the race remotely. The original race raised $10,000 for House of Hope in Keene.
Due to COVID-19, there was no race in 2020, but a second race was held in August of 2021. Although turnout was smaller due to COVID-19, the race still raised $6,000 for House of Hope, Reality Check and Gates Recovery, according to Sandy Olson.
“It was still successful, and we still raised a lot for the turnout we had,” she said.
Sandy said the race has become a source of comfort for her, and a way to give back to the community that attempted to help her son and that continues to help with those that share his struggle.
“Whenever I do the run, I can’t believe it’s happening and that we can give back to the thing he struggled with,” she said.
Sandy Olson said there are already 50 registered runners this year with expectations of a large group of registrants on the day. She said she expects the event to be back on track this year to raise the same level of funding it did in its inaugural year.
The Shin Splints for Bryce 5K will start at Wellington Field, located at 283 Wellington Road in Rindge, on Saturday at 10 a.m. The race runs a road course in a loop and ends back at Wellington Field. Registration is $25. Runners may register online or in person on the day of the race.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. Shes’ on Twitter @AshleySaariMLT.