New benches installed along the SNETT rail trail

"It's happening!"

For more about the Rail Trail Committee, visit their Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/FranklinBellinghamSNETT

or their webpage  https://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19ArmMze8T/

15th Annual Rail Trail Race Raises Over $8,000 for Trail Improvements

The Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee (FBRTC) is thrilled to announce the successful completion of the 5K race hosted by the Tri-Valley Front Runners (TVFR), which raised over $8,000 to support trail improvements. 

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to TVFR, and especially to Mark Capparella, the TVFR race director, and his team for their unwavering support and exceptional organization of this event. At the most recent FBRTC meeting, Mark and the TVFR team presented FBRTC President Paul Stamp & FBRTC race director Sue Fleuette with a donation of $6,016. That donation will go towards the committee’s efforts to advocate for continued development and maintenance of the Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT). 

TVFR also donated race proceeds to the Franklin Food Pantry in Franklin and St Blaise Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry in Bellingham. Along with the donation from TVFR, over $2,500 in donations were received from from local businesses, including the event’s Platinum Sponsor, Body Fit Training (BFT) Franklin Village

Pictured: Darren McNamara (FBRTC), Mark Capparella, Anthony Landry, Jill Duhaime (TVFR President), Michael Dalesio, Stephen Sullivan, Paul Stamp (FBRTC), Sue Fleuette (FBRTC)

The Tri-Valley Front Runners, the premier running organization in the Tri-Valley region, took over the production of this race in 2019 when Dave Labonte, the former director, stepped down. Steve Pohnert, a member of both FBRTC and TVFR, facilitated this transition, and since then, TVFR has continuously supported our cause. The event resumed with a virtual race in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by an in-person road race in 2022, and in 2023, we successfully hosted our first trail race.

TVFR, founded in the early 1980s, is an all-inclusive, vibrant running club that welcomes runners of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. They organize a variety of events, including road races, trail runs, track workouts, and group training runs, fostering a sense of community and promoting healthy living. For more information about TVFR, visit Tri-Valley Front Runners.

The FBRTC is a non-profit organization dedicated to the use and development of the SNETT. Our mission is to create, promote, and maintain a safe and accessible trail system that benefits the communities of Franklin and Bellingham. Learn more about our efforts at Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail.

The May 16th 5K race saw a total of 177 finishers, just shy of the record 184 finishers in the 2024 race. The success of this event is a testament to the hard work and collaboration between our volunteers and the TVFR team, including community volunteers and TVFR members who participated in the race.

We would like to acknowledge and congratulate our top finishers: Daniel Kurczy of Bellingham, who won the overall men’s category, and Bethany Prostano of New York who won the overall women’s category. A total of 58 medals were awarded across various age groups, celebrating the spirit and competitiveness of all participants. Full race results can be found at 2026 FBRTC 5K Results.

The next race is scheduled for Saturday, May 15, 2027. We look forward to another successful event and continued support from our community. For more information on how to get involved or support the FBRTC, please visit our website.

FBRTC: July Monthly Meeting - July 14

July Monthly Meeting

Hello!  

Tuesday night, July 14th we will have our monthly meeting at Franklin.TV, 23 Hutchinson Street, Franklin at 7 PM.  We'd love to see you there!

The minutes from our previous meeting can be found here on our web site.

In addition to the agenda, we will be discussing and holding a final vote on a proposed amendment to the Bylaws to establish a reserve fund/account. Under the proposed policy, reserve funds would be held in a separate account overseen by the Treasurer and require additional approvals before being used. If approved, this change would provide a formal process for maintaining and using reserve funds.

The agenda for this month's meeting is here.
 

Warm regards,

Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee

Still time to register for the 15th Annual FBRTC 5K: Saturday May 16, 2026

~ Counting down to Race Day! ~ Please join us for the 15th Annual FBRTC 5K Road Race Hosted by TVFR & FBRTC ​ Date: Saturday May 16, 2026  Start Time: 9am Location: Grove Street SNETT Trailhead – Parking at Waters Corporation, 210 Grove St., Franklin, MA. 02038 Entry Info:  18 yrs & Under: $25.00 pre-registration / $40.00 day-of 19 yrs - 69 yrs: $30.00 pre-registration / $40.00 day-of 70 yrs and Above: $25 / $40.00 day-of Awards:  5K Awards will be First Place Overall M/F. Age Group Awards: Top 3 M/F: 14 & Under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+ Event Details: Race start time: 9:00 AM. Registration opens at 7:30 AM. Course Details: Out-and-back 5k on hard-packed dirt trail. Course map available soon! Amenities:  1. Plenty of water and refreshments. 2. Walkers welcome. 3. Post-race refreshments 4. Awards to top 3 in each age group 5. Post-race gathering for raffle door prizes 6. Commemorative Race Tee-Shirts to the first 150 registered participants - sizes as available after April 17th. Early Bib Pick-Up / In-Person Registration on Friday May 15 at BFT (Body Fit Training) at 220 Franklin Village Drive, Franklin (across the shopping plaza from the Stop and Shop) from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Race Day Registration - Available on-site until 8:45 AM. ​ Additional Info Available at https://www.tri-valleyfrontrunners.com/fbrtc This race benefits the continuing efforts to develop the Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT) into a multiuse path for Franklin & Bellingham. The SNETT is an abandoned rail bed running from Franklin through Douglas to the CT boarder, sections of which have become fully developed multi-use paths linking communities across southern Central Massachusetts. For more info & to learn how else you can help visit: https://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/ Register Here

Tri-Valley Front Runners
PO Box 125, Milford,MA, 01757 United States

The FBRTC 5k - Seeking Volunteers to help with the fund raising road race

Sign up to volunteer for the FBRTC 5k

View this email in your browser FBRTC 5k - Seeking Volunteers   Hello! The FBRTC is looking for volunteers to help the morning of May 16, 2026 for our annual 5k fundraiser.  Our partners at Tri-Valley Front Runners will be leading the event, but need assistance in the following areas: Parking Greeting/Direction Raffle Tent Registration / Bib Pick Up / Check In Road Crew Water Stop / Turn Around Spot Timing / Start / Finish / Results / Awards We need volunteers at different times of the morning, from setting up the event starting around 8:00 AM, to supporting the race at 9:00 AM, to breaking down the event starting at 10:00 AM. If you can help out at all, please sign up using this link. Warm regards, Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee Our mailing address is: Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee PO Box 68 Franklin, Ma 02038

FBRTC Monthly meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 12

FBRTC Monthly meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 12

via Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee

"Our next meeting is on Tuesday, May 12th at Franklin.TV, located at 23 Hutchinson Street, Franklin at 7 PM.

We'd love to see you there!"

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Have you registered for the 15th Annual FBRTC 5K: Saturday May 16, 2026 ???

Please join us for the 15th Annual FBRTC 5K Road Race Hosted by TVFR & FBRTC Date: Saturday May 16, 2026  Start Time: 9 AM Location: Grove Street SNETT Trailhead – Parking at Waters Corporation, 210 Grove St., Franklin, MA. 02038 Entry Info:  18 yrs & Under: $25.00 pre-registration / $40.00 day-of 19 yrs - 69 yrs: $30.00 pre-registration / $40.00 day-of 70 yrs and Above: $25 / $40.00 day-of Awards:  5K Awards will be First Place Overall M/F. Age Group Awards: Top 3 M/F: 14 & Under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+ Event Details: Race start time: 9:00 AM. Registration opens at 7:30 AM. Course Details: Out-and-back 5k on hard-packed dirt trail. Course map available soon! Amenities:  1. Plenty of water and refreshments. 2. Walkers welcome. 3. Post-race refreshments 4. Awards to top 3 in each age group 5. Post-race gathering for raffle door prizes 6. Commemorative Race Tee-Shirts to the first 150 registered participants - sizes as available after April 17th. Early Bib Pick-Up / In-Person Registration on Friday May 15 at BFT (Body Fit Training) at 220 Franklin Village Drive, Franklin (across the shopping plaza from the Stop and Shop) from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Race Day Registration - Available on-site until 8:45 AM. Additional Info Available at https://www.tri-valleyfrontrunners.com/fbrtc This race benefits the continuing efforts to develop the Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT) into a multiuse path for Franklin & Bellingham. The SNETT is an abandoned rail bed running from Franklin through Douglas to the CT boarder, sections of which have become fully developed multi-use paths linking communities across southern Central Massachusetts. For more info & to learn how else you can help visit: https://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/ Register Here

This email was sent to shersteve@gmail.com by
Tri-Valley Front Runners
PO Box 125, Milford,MA, 01757United States

Rail trail extension work underway

Rail trail extension work underway

Via the Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee

"Work has started on the rail trail extension between Grove Street and Union Street in Franklin. Workers have started the process of removing the rail infrastructure that is currently in place. 

Once all the rail infrastructure has been removed, then the work can being on creating the trail. While it is exciting to see this work underway, it will still be some time before all the trail work is completed."

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Celebrate Trails Day, Saturday April 25

Join us for a walking tour

View this email in your browser Celebrate Trails Day is this Saturday! Hello!   This Saturday is Celebrate Trails Day! We are hosting a walking tour on the SNETT to highlight some of the history surrounding the the rail trail, and also discussing some of the changes coming in the future. Details can be found on our web site using the link below. FBRTC - Celebrate Trails Day Celebrate Trails Day is an annual national celebration held to encourage people to enjoy the health, social, and economic benefits of America’s trails. Organized by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) since 2013, the event showcases trails as essential infrastructure for healthy, thriving communities. Warm regards, Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee Copyright © 2026 Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you have opted in to stay informed about the Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee Our mailing address is: Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee PO Box 68 Franklin, Ma 02038

The FBRTC 5k - Seeking Volunteers to help with the 5K race in May

Sign up to volunteer for the FBRTC 5k

View this email in your browser FBRTC 5k - Seeking Volunteers   Hello! The FBRTC is looking for volunteers to help the morning of May 16, 2026 for our annual 5k fundraiser.  Our partners at Tri-Valley Front Runners will be leading the event, but need assistance in the following areas: Parking Greeting/Direction Raffle Tent Registration / Bib Pick Up / Check In Road Crew Water Stop / Turn Around Spot Timing / Start / Finish / Results / Awards We need volunteers at different times of the morning, from setting up the event starting around 8:00 AM, to supporting the race at 9:00 AM, to breaking down the event starting at 10:00 AM. If you can help out at all, please sign up using this link. Warm regards, Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee Our mailing address is: Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee PO Box 68 Franklin, Ma 02038