Road Race Touches Hearts Of Abington Residents

By Ryan Roach Both a man killed on September 11, 2001 and US Marine killed in Afghanistan were honored at a family road race Sunday morning during the 13th annual Jeff Coombs Memorial Road Race, Walk and Family Day. Approximately 1,000 people and their families attended the event to remember these two men. The event raised between $25,000 and $30,000 toward the Jeffrey Coombs Memorial Foundation. The Jeffrey Coombs Memorial Foundation, established in honor of Jeffrey Coombs, was created to assist families who are in financial debt due to illness or death. “I’ve been running every year,” Kelley O’Connell, an Abington resident who participated in the race, said. “It’s a great event and to see everyone still supporting Jeffrey and all those people affected by 9/11 is unbelievable.” The event was started after Jeffrey Coombs was killed on September 11 when one of the two hijacked planes struck the Twin Towers in New York. “It is a time to remember in reverence and to move forward in peace,” Shaun Roach of Weymouth, said. The road race was held at Woodsdale School and began at 9 a.m. The school was packed, parking lots were full, and roads were closed all for the race. “I was impressed that so many people are still involved and raising money for this foundation after 13 years,” Linda Roach, who attended the event, said. American flags and balloons were at the entrance of the event. The school boasted a carnival atmosphere including a man on stilts, bouncy houses, food, and raffle items. A children’s race took place 10 minutes before the actual race and consisted of a lap around the parking lot. Each participant got a bag of candy. The host of the event, Kristy Coombs, widow of Jeffrey Coombs, said she wanted people to have a good time and not look at it as a depressing event. She described the event as a celebration of her husband’s life. This year’s annual event was dedicated to both Sgt. Danny Vasselian and Jeffrey Coombs. Danny Vasselian of Abington was a US Marine killed in Afghanistan on December 23, 2013. The race shirts this year were light blue with a memorial for Jeffrey Coombs on the front and back. It also had an American flag on the left sleeve with a “V” to honor Vasselian. Katie Beckgold sang the National Anthem before the race. Bagpipers and Marine Collard Guards led the participants to the starting line. The bagpipers played “America the Beautiful” before the start of the race. The runners pushing babies in strollers started the race. The runners followed them and the walkers proceeded after both groups had gone. “September 11th will always be a special date to America and will always be a time for Americans to come together in peace,” John Goncalo, Stonehill College student, said.