Remembering Vanessa
Marcotte Foundation 5K returns in-person on June 18
PRINCETON » This month marks the return of the Vanessa T. Marcotte Foundation 5K Run/ Walk, the first in-person event since 2019 that supports the organization’s mission of providing violence prevention and safety awareness programming.
The sixth annual fundraiser is back at scenic Wachusett Mountain, starting at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, June 18, after going virtual for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a mostly flat course with one small hill. Medals will be awarded to top finishers and a post-race party will feature a DJ, raffles, food, drinks including beer from Cisco Brewery and activities for kids.
“We’re really excited to be back in person this year,” said foundation co-founder and President Caroline Tocci. “It’s always a fun event and we look forward to seeing people enjoy their walk and run as well as the post-race experience.”
There will also be a virtual option again for those who wish to go that route. Virtual participants can sign up and get a T- shirt, tune into the opening comments and the official start of the race via Instagram live, and then run on their own and tag the foundation in the photos they post. So far, there are participants from 13 states who have registered for the virtual option.
The foundation will also go live with an online silent auction the week of the event so people near and far can participate and support. Auction items include autographed footballs from former Patriots players Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski, golf packages, a Cape Cod sailing experience, a Lululemon gift basket and gift certificates.
The foundation was launched in March 2017 by Tocci and Ashley Mcniff, cousin and best friend of Vanessa Marcotte, a Leominster native who was killed by an act of violence in Princeton in August 2016 while out for a jog near her family home. The tragedy rocked the greater community and as a result the foundation has a mission to advocate “for a world where women live boldly and fearlessly.”
All money raised from the 5K enables the foundation to support and work with local organi
‘We’re so proud of all we’ve accomplished in Vanessa’s honor to make the world a safer place.’
— Caroline Tocci, Vanessa T. Marcotte Foundation president
zations and programs that align with their goal of promoting female safety and gender equality.
Project Bold at Girls Inc. of Worcester, which teaches self- defense and safety, is one recipient, as is Girls Inc.’s Media Literacy, which focuses on the objectification of women in the media and teaches girls how to challenge stereotypes and biases against women in their own lives.
Despite the pandemic, the foundation has remained strong over the past few years, thanks to the hard work of Mcniff and Tocci.
Since its inception, the foundation has trained thousands of women at self- defense workshops and provides funding for youth programs on self- defense, media literacy and empowerment, and funds high school programs on healthy relationships and safety awareness. In addition, the foundation has produced several programs on violence prevention topics for all genders and its website is a frequently visited destination for safety content.
Marcotte loved to run, so many of the foundation’s fundraising efforts revolve around running.
They have charity running teams for the Boston Marathon, which Tocci ran with this year, the New York City Marathon and Half Marathon, and the Falmouth Road Race. Its most critical fundraiser is the annual 5K Run/ Walk.
“We’re so proud of all we’ve accomplished in Vanessa’s honor to make the world a safer place,” Tocci said. “We’re grateful for the continued support of our caring community and we really appreciate everyone who has spread awareness and helps us promote our mission.”
The cost for the Vanessa T. Marcotte Foundation 5K Run/ Walk is $35 for adults and $20 for kids 12 and under. Walk-ups are welcome. T-shirts will be awarded to the first 600 registrants. For more information and to register, visit http://www. vtmf.org and follow Vanessa T. Marcotte Foundation on Facebook.