Inaugural Matt Brown Foundation 5K exceeds expectations

On Sunday, June 7, 287 registered participants traveled along streets near Norwood High School and Westover Park in the inaugural Matt Brown Foundation 5K Run, Walk and Roll to raise money to support individuals who are battling paralysis. With the warm weather, clear skies and community support, the fundraiser exceeded the organizers’ expectations.

Matt Brown is Norwood High School alumnus who was injured in a hockey game 16 years ago, when he was 15. In 2020, he and his family established the foundation, which, to date, has raised a total $575,000 in fundraising for grants to help individuals battling paralysis purchase accessible vehicles, perform bathroom renovations and home modifications. This 5K race was designed to include more of the community in the foundation’s cause.

“We always had the idea to grow events and the Run, Walk and Roll 5K was a great way to get everyone involved,” explained Brown. “We want to grow the Matt Brown Foundation’s message as far as possible, to reach as many as possible,” he added.

Matt’s family spread the word about the event and gained support from other Norwood residents and even others from further away. Trish Brown, Matt’s aunt, coaches the Stonehill College basketball team in Easton. She recruited team members as volunteers for 12 stations along the route to hand out maps and cheer on the participants.

“We’re looking to help create an impact,” noted senior Brooke Paquette. “We’re here to have fun,” added teammate Emma Acca.

Additionally, Doug McLeod, co-producer of the NHL Network’s “Fight for Life,” participated in the race along with host Tony Granato, a former NHL player and coach. The two interviewed Matt and recorded footage for an upcoming documentary about spinal cord injuries from hockey.

“Matt was the ‘father’ of a group of other athletes with injuries. He did a lot to help them have a speedy recovery,” McLeod noted. “When we heard Matt was having this event, we timed our documentary to be here today.”

In addition to supporting Matt, residents took the opportunity to practice for other road races or to reinvigorate their exercise traditions. Jayne Glynn, who grew up with Matt in Norwood but now lives in North Attleborough, participated with her three children, with strollers.

“I like how this is a very inclusive environment. We have runners, walkers and wheelchairs…It’s important to support the people who received grants, and it’s important for the foundation,” she added. Glynn noted this 5K was her first since 2018.

At 10 a.m., Matt met the participants near the start line in front of the Norwood High School gymnasium to express his gratitude and encourage the participants to do their best and have fun.

“The overall message is, this turnout is going to help more and more people battling paralysis. Enjoy it and on behalf of myself and the foundation, thank you so much for showing up for this first event that we hopefully come to have as a long-lasting tradition.”

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In 16 minutes and 12 seconds, the first runner crossed the finish line back at Norwood High School, Jeff Seelaus of Walpole.

“It was an incredible race; super, super special,” he remarked as he cooled down. “That hill was never-ending,” as he referred to the final ascent of the route up Nichols Street. “I just ran [the] Boston [Marathon], but this hill on Nichols is worse than Heartbreak Hill,” he joked. The last runners crossed the finish line after 1 hour and 23 minutes.

The Matt Brown Foundation raised $10,000 alone from the 277 participants who pre-registered and raised more money from the participants who signed up the same day.

“This exceeded our wildest expectations,” according to Matt. Taylor Foley, who does marketing work for College Hype, a T-shirt printing company based in Weymouth and longtime sponsor of the foundation noted, “Matt is such a great guy. It’s no surprise people came out for him.”

The foundation’s next fundraiser will be their sixth annual Chairty Golf Outing at the Walpole Country Club on Monday, July 13. Learn more at https://www.mattbrownfoundation.org