NU to be out in force for road race

The 5K Mission Hill Road Race is just around the corner and one local university expects a strong showing.

John Tobin, Northeastern University’s (NU) vice president of city and community affairs, said he expects “hundreds” of people from the school to be involved in the race, ranging from students to staff members. NU is a sponsor of the race.

“I’ll be running myself,” said Tobin in a Gazette interview. “It’s a lot of fun.”

Tobin, who recently ran in the Brian Honan Road Race in Allston-Brighton, said he just completed a treadmill workout the morning of the Gazette interview. But he said the Mission Hill race seems to get longer every year.

The race, which starts at 9 a.m. for walkers and at 10 a.m. for runners at the St. Alphonsus Park Gate on Oct. 20, benefits the Kevin G. Fitzgerald Park. The park is named after a former state representative for Mission Hill who died in 2007.

“It’s a good day and it’s for a good cause,” said Tobin, who was friends with Fitzgerald.

NU finished second in local institution participation last year, a mark Tobin wants to improve upon, as the top institution receives the “Pudding Pot” award.

“We want it back,” said Tobin.

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