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Coghlan is co-founder of the Derby and will be traveling from his home in Dublin, Ireland, for the event. He is known as the "Chairman of the Boards" for his success on the American indoor athletics circuit, and he broke the world record for the indoor mile on three separate occasions. In 1983, Coghlan won the 5,000-meter event at the World Championships in Helsinki, Finland.
The Rye Derby is one of the biggest events of the year, with several world class athletes as well as local runners expected to participate. Runners can choose either a 5K race or a 5-mile race. There will also be a 1-mile family fun run/walk. Medals will be given to the race winners in their age group, and a cash prize will be awarded to the first three to cross the finish line in the 5-mile race.
To celebrate the history of the 25th derby, a commemorative quilt was created using a collection of Rye Derby T-shirts from over the years. Volunteers gathered with instructor Kim Mulcahy over five sessions to work on the quilt. The volunteers sewed the shirts together, then embellished them with buttons, sequins, yarns and stitching.
“The process of creating the quilt also resulted in a small community,” said Penny Cozza, Rye Y fund development associate. “We started off as strangers and ended up as friends.”
Runners can register on the Rye YMCA website or in person at the service desk. Registration for the two races is $25 in advance and $30 the day of the event. Registration for the family fun run is $20. The two races will begin Sunday at 10:15 a.m. and the family fun run will begin at 12:15 p.m.
Starting at 10:30 a.m. the Rye YMCA will also host a number of free activities, including games, a bouncy castle, live music and a barbecue. All proceeds from the event will benefit the YMCA's teen programming, financial aid for families and community outreach.
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