It's not often that you wake up to 1,500 people in your front yard. That's exactly what happened to me this morning as the Inaugural Chris Corbett 5K stepped off in front of Holy Cross High School here in Waterbury. It was a brutal morning, snow was still occasionally falling, and the wind was cranking. A tree branch cracked off right at the entrance of HCHS right before the opening ceremonies.

Photo by Large Dave
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That didn't stop hundreds of runners, walkers, or dignitaries from showing up and participating. There was a huge contingent of Waterbury PD, Fire, and municipal workers running. Local food trucks set up in the Holy Cross parking lot, and I was tempted to walk on over and see if I could score a Frankie's hot dog, or a Hardcore Sweet cupcake, but I thought better of it. Waterbury Mayor Neil O'Leary welcomed everyone, and there was a stirring rendition of our National Anthem. A horn signaled the start of the race, and the ground shook as hundreds of local athletes raced down Oronoke Road. It was an awesome sight.

Photo by Large Dave
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Photo by Large Dave
Photo by Large Dave
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Photo by Large Dave
Photo by Large Dave
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Photo by Large Dave
Photo by Large Dave
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Photo by Large Dave
Photo by Large Dave
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Everyone cleared out by about Noon, I saw the Waterbury PD Mobile HQ rumble on by as volunteers picked up the sponsor signs along Oronoke Road. To an outsider/friendly neighbor, it appeared to go off without a hitch. Congratulations to everyone involved in this event, it looked to be to be a huge success!

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