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Hopkinton Today for Tuesday, March 17: Team Hoyt road race gets new name, earlier date

by | Mar 17, 2026 | Featured: Features, Hopkinton Today

Good morning, Hopkinton! Welcome to the daily update we call Hopkinton Today — a quick recap of yesterday’s news, highlights of what’s on tap, and a photo of the day.

Team Hoyt event moves ahead of Boston Marathon after racer feedback

Hoyt memorial road race

The main pack of runners heads out onto the course during last year’s Team Hoyt memorial road race. PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

Team Hoyt’s annual road race is back this year with a new name and date.

The Team Hoyt Taper — previously known as the Team Hoyt Memorial Yes You Can Run Together race — will be held April 11 this year. The change in the race’s name and schedule came after feedback from racers.

Russ Hoyt, president and CEO of Team Hoyt and the Team Hoyt Foundation, explained that the race’s proximity to Memorial Day created scheduling problems for racers who wanted to participate but had conflicting holiday plans. For this year’s event, the organization decided to schedule around the Boston Marathon to encourage racers to sign up.

“This would be a perfect opportunity to do a shorter race when they’re not looking to do something too strenuous the week before [the marathon],” Hoyt said.

Just like last year, participants can sign up to do the 5-mile run or the 2-mile walk. The course begins at Marathon School, goes around the Town Common and passes by the “Yes You Can” statue of Dick and Rick Hoyt at the former Center School before looping back to EMC Park.

Hoyt explained that part of the course has been dubbed “Hoytbreak Hill” — a nod to the Boston Marathon’s notorious Heartbreak Hill in Newton. Along that portion of the course there will be photos of Rick Hoyt smiling and laughing, Hoyt noted.

“We’re trying to have a little fun with that portion of the race,” he said.

Following the event, participants are invited to gather at EMC Park for fun and refreshments. There will be a kids race, a beer garden, lawn games and other activities. There also will be an awards ceremony for the finishers.

While registrations still are being received, Hoyt anticipated anywhere between 300-500 runners and additional 100 walkers will participate in the race.

— NICK SCHOFIELD

Latest News

The latest Real Estate Transactions list shows just one home sold in the past week.

Herminda DeSabogal, 91, of Hopkinton passed away March 8.

The Friends of Whitehall will host its annual meeting April 1 at the Sanctuary at Woodville.

Town meetings tonight include the Board of Assessors (5:30), Select Board (6), Design Review Board (6), Elementary School Building Committee (6) and Tax Relief Committee (6).

Photo of the Day

Hopkinton High School senior softball player Callie Arthur (in green), who will play at Endicott College next year, poses for a picture with her family as part of the school’s signing day late last week. Click here for more photos.

Callie Arthur

PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

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