Rock ’N Race draws 3,250 participants, still has further to go to meet fundraising goal

The first wave of runners start the 22nd Annual Rock ’N Race on North State Street in back of the State House on Wednesday.

Monica Purtell and her husband, Seth, get ready to run at the 22nd Annual Rock’ N Race on Wednesday evening, May 8, 2024. GEOFF FORESTER—Monitor staff

Concord Hospital Breast Care Center staff members Kellie Booth (left), practice manager; Dana LeBlanc, medical assistant; Tammy Pillsbury, registered nurse; Rosemarie Padin, medical assistant, wear pink swans so they could find each other during the race.

The first wave of runners start the 22nd Annual Rock’ N Race on North State Street in back of the State House on Wednesday evening, May 8, 2024. GEOFF FORESTER—Monitor staff

The second wave of runners and walkers start the 22nd Annual Rock’ N Race on North State Street in back of the State House on Wednesday evening, May 8, 2024. GEOFF FORESTER—Monitor staff

Published: 05-09-2024 6:20 PM

The rain let up just in time for the 3,250 participants in the 22nd Annual Rock’N Race to make their way through Concord.

The number of people who joined the race Wednesday night was up from about 2,900 last year.

“We’ve been on our way back up from the COVID years by about 500 a year,” said Emily Loffredo, philanthropy officer at Concord Hospital Trust and official race organizer.

This year’s efforts raised close to the $300,000 annual goal, but organizers would like to surpass $328,000, the amount raised last year. The money raised benefits the Concord Hospital Payson Center for Cancer Care. Donations can still be made through May 31 at www.rocknrace.org.