The 7th annual Halfway to Dot Day Road Race took place on Saturday, Dec. 10, on the Neponset Greenway and in Pope John Paul II Park. More than 500 registered for the event, which has no connection to the Dorchester Day Parade but does mark the halfway point on the calendar. More than 100 school-kids from the Murphy School and others participated in the Road Race as part of the Boston Public Schools Soul Train Running Group. The race is put on by the Dorchester Running Club (DRC), and President Stefanie O’Shea said they had chosen five youth organizations in the neighborhood to support with proceeds from the race. Those benefitting included ADSL, Miss Linda’s School of Dance, Dorchester Youth Soccer, MR8 Challenger League, and Youth Enrichment Services (YES).
Seth Daniel photos

Isaque Alves Depina-Mendes and Jayden Medina, with teacher Chet Lang – all the Murphy K-8 School – were running with the BPS Soul Train group. The group has been participating for several years and had more than 100 runners register this year.

And they’re off! Runners take off at the starting line in Neponset on Saturday, Dec. 15, in the 7th annual Halfway to Dot Day Road Race.

James and Neil Janulewicz getting ready to run.

Declan Harrington and Tom Mannion bundle up for the race.

From Elliott Physical Therapy, Seneca Spargo and Amanda Issler took time to pose with Frosty, Santa Claus and Rudolph.

Standing tall in stripes were Brian and Margo Fannon as they warmed up at the starting line.

Councillor Erin Murphy addresses the runners with DRC President Stefanie O’Shea.

Long-time runners Bob Johnston, Jack Graney, John Cullan, and Glen Mullen with Rudolph before the race.