Austin Reardon 5K returning to Norwood

The Austin Reardon Memorial 5K will be hosting its third road race at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 11 at the Norwood Knights of Columbus Hall.

The race remembers Austin Reardon, a Norwood High School 2019 graduate who died tragically back in 2020. Reardon was always curious about the mechanisms of machines and was constantly tinkering, which is, according to family friend and Race Coordinator Kathy Ekberg, one of the reasons they wanted to create this scholarship fund and support students with similar passions.

The race raises funds for the Austin Reardon Scholarship Fund, which awards the proceeds of each race to Norwood graduates. According to race organizers, they have raised and awarded more than $50,000 in scholarship for seniors and donated more than 950 pairs of new socks to the Pine Street Inn, a homeless shelter in Boston.

Ekberg said her daughter went to school with Reardon at the St. Catherine of Siena School, where he also attended. She said he was a mainstay of the St. Catherine’s Community, and her family and his family became friends over the years.

Reardon’s Aunt Kathy Keady is helping Ekberg organize the race this year. She said she and her daughters have been helping out since the race started, and they all cannot believe how the Norwood community has come out for their family.

“It’s really hard to put into words what it means to see so many families – people of all ages and abilities – come and participate in this event,” she said. “My kids and the Reardon cousins are all close in age and were at NHS at the same time. Seeing so many familiar faces show up on race day – not realizing a connection they had to Austin – is truly heartwarming and shows the impact he had on so many people. He truly was just a great kid that took the time to be kind to everyone.”

This year’s race is aimed at raising enough funds for one $20,000 scholarship and five $1,000 scholarships. Last year’s race raised enough to award Norwood High School student Riley Barnett with $20,000, and Theresa Begg, Reegan Pritchard, Kaitlin Malley, Brody Pacheco and Bridget Kidd with $1,000 each. Norwood resident Sofia Duran was also awarded $1,000 through the scholarship program for students outside the Norwood Public Schools system.

Ekberg said the foundation and the race have received a lot of feedback from recipients and participants alike.

“The response has been and continues to be very positive,” she said. “From the students who receive the scholarships, to the participants who enjoy the event – and, of course, those coveted AR5K socks – to Pine Street Inn, which greatly appreciates the donation of socks, the response has been incredibly rewarding. Norwood High School and the community as a whole, including both local businesses and individuals, continue to be incredibly supportive. It is heartwarming to see how many people have connected with Austin’s story and want to be part of keeping his memory alive while supporting two great causes.”

Ekberg added that the event garners support from everyone Austin impacted, which she said was quite a few, since he almost always left an impact on the people he met.

Austin’s friends from Saint Catherine’s, Norwood High School, and the University of Maine all participate in the event. Many of them also participate in the annual golf event held in the spring.

Austin had very close relationships not only through his schools, but also through the places where he worked,” Ekberg said. “His friends continue to come out and support the events, which means so much to the family. Many of his Norwood friends live out of state now, but they make the trip back to Norwood when they are able to participate.”

The race runs from the Knights up toWestover Parkway and through the neighborhoods there, looping back to the Knights on Nichols Street. Ekberg said she gets a lot of help from the community getting it all together.

“Organizing the race is time-consuming and requires a considerable amount of work, but the end result is so worth it. When we see the community come together, along with Austin’s friends and family, Norwood High School, the many organizations – both in and out of Norwood – to honor him by raising money for scholarships, it makes all the work worthwhile,” she said.

The race will also feature raffle baskets made up of donations from organizations from all over, as well as individuals throughout the state.

“Austin’s hockey number was 30, so we try to make 30 baskets,” Ekberg said. “Each basket is valued at $200 and up. All registered walkers / runners get one complimentary raffle ticket they can put in a basket of their choice, but everyone is welcome to purchase raffle tickets. Again, we have many generous people and businesses that provide us with some amazing baskets. We are grateful for the continued support we have received to make this event successful, fun and meaningful to all.”

To sign up, go to https://gvimes.link/ar5k2026