Event registration opens Jan. 31

The Sharon Timlin Memorial Event began in 2004, when the Red Sox were still seeking their first Word Series title in almost nine decades. Like the Red Sox, who have won four championships since then — with the most recent coming this past season — the Timlin has set the standard in its field.

The event — consisting of a 5K road race, kids’ fun color run and family fun day — has raised $2 million to support ALS research, and it’s become an annual Hopkinton tradition at the end of the school year.

Registration for the 16th annual event, which takes place on June 15 at Hopkinton High School, opens Jan. 31.

Prior to diving into this year’s preparations, race organizer Abbie Rosenberg and her fellow volunteers were recognized by the Hopkinton Board of Selectmen in a Nov. 27 ceremony. The selectmen honored the Timlin organizers for contributing significantly to Hopkinton’s quality of life through their volunteer efforts.

This event is held in memory of Sharon Timlin, the mother of retired Red Sox pitcher Mike Timlin. Sharon Timlin was diagnosed with ALS in 2001 and died the following year.

Mike Timlin expressed his gratitude through a letter read during the award ceremony.

“This group of volunteers are truly amazing,” Timlin wrote. “Never in my life have my family and I been so blessed by a group that shares our heart as much as they do.”

Dr. Robert Brown, Director of the Neuromuscular Laboratory at UMass Medical Center, attended the award ceremony and spoke about the enormous impact Rosenberg and the committee have had on getting the lab closer to a cure for ALS. Brown mentioned that the laboratories, the patients and their families are extremely appreciative of what the committee and the Timlin family have done to make the medical center’s research a success. Brown noted that all the funds raised have gone toward trying to discover innovative new ways to understand and treat ALS.

While providing the town with a fun-filled, family community day this event also honors those living with ALS, as well as memorializing the many courageous faces who have battled this disease.

For more information about the event, visit sharontimlinrace.org.